How to Study the Bible: Philemon Study

WHO?

Who wrote it? - Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ

To whom was it written (address on the envelope) - Philemon?

About whom was it written? - the runaway slave, Onesimus

Who are the main characters? - Paul, Philemon, Onesimus + Apphia, Archippus, Epaphras, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke. Both this letter and the letter to the Colossians are carried by the same men - Onesimus and Tychicus. Salutations are from the same people except 1 (Justus) - Colossians 4:1. Archippus is addressed in both. Timothy is in both. Both are from prison.

Does it apply to us? Yes

How?

(1) How we are to treat those under us - employees, helpers, even friends.

(2) How we're to treat those of other classes, such as the poor or underprivileged

WHAT?

Summary: Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, somehow meets up with Paul, a prisoner, probably in Rome. Paul wins Onesimus and apparently helps Paul in his ministry. It also appears that Onesimus stole from Philemon when he ran away. Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon with this letter asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to accept him as a brother in Christ.

Key Words: Onesimus (meaning "profitable" or "useful"), prison(er), God's people (saints - "hagios"), pray/prayers, the Greek prefix "sun/sus", kindness, slave, brother, return

Key Phrases: show kindness, return to you

Related Verse(s) if any:
1. Colossians 4:1: Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
2. Deuteronomy 23:15: If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters.
3. Colossians 1:1:This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
4. Ephesians 1:1:This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus
5. Philippians 1:1:This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.
6. Titus 1:1:This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.
7. Romans 16:5:Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home...
8. Philippians 2:25: Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.
9. Colossians 4:17: And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
10. Romans 1:8-9: Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.
11. Philippians 1:9: I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding
12. Ephesians 3:1: When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles
13. Colossians 4:9: I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
14. 1 Corinthians 7:22: And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
15. Ephesians 6:9: Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
16. Philippians 1:25-26: Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
17. Colossians 1:7: You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.
18. Colossians 4:10: Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.
19. Colossians 3:1: In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

WHEN?

When was it written? While Paul was in prison, probably from Rome. Had to have been written before 2 Timothy where he was about to be executed. After the end of the Book of Acts.

WHERE?

To where written? Colosse

From where written? Rome

WHY?

Purpose?

To be sure that Philemon welcomes back Onesimus and treats him as a useful brother in Christ.

To ask Philemon to prepare him a room for when Paul gets out of prison and comes back.

To praise Philemon for his generosity and love for God's people and for God and for Paul.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

Does this impact me in any way? Yes - Tells me how I'm to treat my fellow employees and others, especially other Christians, especially those less privileged than I am. I am to be eager to forgive others who have hurt me.

Are there any changes in my life needed after reading this? Be ready to forgive.

Can I help anyone after reading this? Reach out to others.

Any other thoughts?

¹ This letter* is from Paul, a prisoner** for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon***, our beloved co-worker****,

Paul's letters usually start out "Paul, an Apostle".

*This letter: There is a "missing" letter to Laodicea mentioned in Colossians. Since it's hard to believe that God would allow something like that to be lost, I'm more inclined to believe that this may very well be the "missing" letter Paul refers to in Colossians 4:16: After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.

**Paul, a prisoner: This is probably Paul's first imprisonment in Rome after he appealed to Caesar when the crowds in Jerusalem wanted to kill him. In his first imprisonment, Paul was simply under house arrest according to Acts and would have been chained to a Roman soldier, most of whom Paul led to Christ. Paul wrote 5 letters from prison after the conclusion of the period covered by Acts: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon and 2 Timothy. 2 Timothy was written from Rome during his second imprisonment just before his execution. I Timothy and Titus were most likely written between the imprisonments. Therefore, Paul probably wrote 7 epistles during the Acts period and 7 after.

Colossians 1:1: This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

Ephesians 1:1: This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus

Philippians 1:1: This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

Titus 1:1: This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.

Ephesians 3:1: When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles

***Philemon means "one who kisses". Philemon is a Greek, not a Jew.

****co-worker: Greek: "sunergos". Note the prefix sun, sometimes sus which means "integrally with" as in our prefix "co-".

² and to our sister Apphia*, and to our fellow soldier** Archippus***, and to the church that meets in your house****.

*Apphia: Possibly Philemon's wife. Her name means "one who bears fruit."

**fellow soldier: "sustratiotes". Notice the prefix "sus" again. Literally, "co-soldier". Philippians 2:25: Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier....

***Archippus: Colossians 4:17: And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” Archippus may have been the pastor of the church there.

****the church that meets in your house: Romans 16:5: Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home... Churches (Greek - "ekklesia", literally "assembly of called out ones") met in believers' homes as they sometimes do today as well. In fact, those who say they are a "New Testament" church but meet in a church building are not really New Testament churches at all!

³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

⁴ I always thank my God when I pray* for you, Philemon,

*pray: Paul constantly prayed for the Christians, especially those he'd personally won to Christ.

Romans 1:8-9: Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

Philippians 1:9: I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and

⁵ because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people*.

*God’s people: Greek "hagios" = "holy ones" or "sanctified ones". Translated "saints" in most versions. Therefore, a saint is not someone declared to be a saint by the pope, but is anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Also in verse 7:

Ephesians 1:1:This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people (the saints) in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus

Philippians 1:1:This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people (the saints) in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

⁶ And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

⁷ Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness* has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people (saints as in verse 5).

*kindness - See verse 10

⁸ That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

⁹ But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus*.

*prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus: Or a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

¹⁰ I appeal to you to show kindness* to my child**, Onesimus**. I became his father*** in the faith while here in prison.

*kindness - See verse 7

**Onesimus:Colossians 4:9: I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.

***his father: Paul is his "spiritual father" because he led him to Christ. Paul also calls Timothy his son for the same reason.

¹¹ Onesimus* hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

*Onesimus means "useful" or "profitable". So, Paul is using a play on words here.

¹² I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

¹³ I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

¹⁴ But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

¹⁵ It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while* so that you could have him back forever.

*little while: literally, "an hour".

¹⁶ He is no longer like a slave* to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

*slave: This is a revolutionary concept, that a slave can be a brother to his master, in Christ! Christ tears down barriers. Slaves were property in the Roman Empire as they were in the South until the Civil War. They had no protection under Roman or U.S. law.

Deuteronomy 23:15:If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters. However, under Roman law, the escaped slave was to be returned to his owner, who would probably kill him or severely punish him. Obviously, the American slave owners followed Roman and U.S. law rather than Biblical law when it came to their escaped slaves.

1 Corinthians 7:22: And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.

Ephesians 6:9: Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Colossians 3:1: In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Colossians 4:1: Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

Colossians 3:2: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.

John 8:34: Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

Galatians 3:22: But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner*, welcome him as you would welcome me.

*partner: We are partners in the work for Christ! Partners with Paul, partners with Christ.

¹⁸ If he has wronged you in any way or owes* you anything, charge it to me.

*owes: Looks like Onesimus stole some money or goods when he fled.

¹⁹ I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!

Evidently, Paul had led Philemon to Christ.

²⁰ Yes, my brother, please do me this favor* for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

*favor: Greek "oninemi", a play again on the name Onesimus.

²¹ I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

²² One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers* and let me return** to you soon.

*your prayers: Philemon prays for Paul and, per verse 4, Paul prays for Philemon.

**return: Philippians 1:25-26: Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. Paul was fully expecting to be released from his imprisonment. Compare to 2 Timothy 4:6: As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

²³ Epaphras*, my fellow prisoner** in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

*Epaphras: Colossians 1:7: You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. Epaphras is probably a shortened form of the name Epaphroditus.

**fellow prisoner: sunaichmalotos. Note, once again, the prefix "sun"!

²⁴ So do Mark*, Aristarchus**, Demas***, and Luke****, my co-workers*****.

*Mark: : Acts 12:25: When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them. Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark.

**Aristarchus:

Colossians 4:10: Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.

Acts 19:29: Soon the whole city (Ephesus) was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

***Demas: : Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica...

****Luke: : Luke, a doctor, wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

*****co-workers: Philippians 2:25: Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. Greek - sunergeos (notice the prefix "sun" once again).

²⁵ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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