Once famed for its soft wool and colorful dyes, commercial competition had muted its influence. We have enlisted hundreds of friends biblical scholars, theologians, homileticians and pastors dedicated to the craft of biblical preaching to provide you timely, compelling and trustworthy content. I thank my god, making mention of thee in my prayers, v. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the lord. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. Sep 05, 2010 in verses 15 16 paul writes that onesimus has been separated from philemon for a while so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but.
Essentially, paul gave philemon the freedom to do what was right in love before the lord, and he gave the freedom to do it on his own choice and not out of pauls compulsion. Sixteenth sunday after pentecost september 8, 20 philemon. I write this letter to you, philemon, my good friend and companion in this workalso to our sister apphia, to archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. Listen to pastor robert furrow as he gives his commentary on philemon, talking today about how we can serve god in the midst of a messy life. Biblical commentary bible study philemon 1 21 exegesis. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest. This is a book in applied christianity, a textbook of social service. Paul encourages philemon not to take onesimus back as a slave, but as a brother vv. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. For we have great joy and consolation timothy and i are greatly rejoiced and comforted. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the word of god.
Daily verse and comment, and have biblical truth delivered to your inbox. Introduction philemon 1 3 paul, imprisoned for the sake of christ, along with timothy, greets philemon and others in his house church with an expression of their mutual bond of grace and peace that comes from god the father and the lord jesus christ. In the time of the apostles it had seen its better days. What paul is asking philemon to do is to model redemption in a social context 1516. Perhaps is one of the hardest words for minds of a certain class to say. This is a story that includes a more than likely runaway slave, onesimus, who has come to know paul in rome, was converted by paul to the christian faith by paul, and rendered voluntary service to paul in his roman imprisonment. Matthew henry states that the apostle argues from love, rather than authority 1. Teacherbefore class prepare questions for your students to discover from the passage of scripture. Zerrs commentary on selected books of the new testament. Colossae was a bustling city in phrygia, in the southwest region of asia minor. Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother. There was a church there, perhaps established by epaphras. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
In his very first words, paul stressed his bonds, an appealing and appropriate means of enlisting the sympathetic hearing of the appeal he was about to make. For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, what is the meaning of philemon 1. Some have proposed that he was sent by philemon to serve paul while he was in prison. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever. Philemon 1 25 friendship, forgiveness, reputation leaders guide 1.
Our interpretation can then turn to the letter itself. The epistle to philemon chapter one objectives in studying philemon 1 to be impressed with the loving hospitality which characterized the christians in the early church 2 to learn lessons in the use of tact in dealing with others summary in this very short and personal epistle, paul addresses it to philemon, apphia, archippus and to the. Paul confesses his regular prayers for philemon, and compliments him on his love, faith, and willingness to share his faith. This section also suggests that philemon had provided financial assistance to paul in the past philemon 1. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary. Can this short letter be viewed from different perspectives. On the basis of such a partnership, philemon should have been ready to receive one of pauls converts as he would receive paul himself 17. All we need to see is that philemon 17 are about philemon. Paul after a time discovered that he was a runaway slave, and when onesimus told paul who his master was, paul said, i know philemon, i led him to christ. Forerunner commentary what is the forerunner commentary. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. Today, as we look at the book of philemon, we are going to see forgiveness in action.
He became as a servant to paul who was still in bonds. Philemon united states conference of catholic bishops. Read philemon commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. Here is the object of pauls praises and prayers for philemon. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. How did onesimus come to be separated from philemon. Title philemon, the recipient of this letter, was a prominent member of the church at colosse vv. Paul now touches on onesimus being parted from philemon, using a phrase not only as has been. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus. There was a church there, perhaps established by epaphras colossians 1. Even unbelievers have seen the greatness of this little story. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on pauls letter to philemon. In verses 15 16 paul writes that onesimus has been separated from philemon for a while so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but.
This short letter addressed to three specific individuals was written by paul during an imprisonment, perhaps in rome between a. The book of philemon relates an interesting event in pauls life in which he calls upon philemon s sense of gratitude and obligation to him. Colossians 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Sep 29, 2014 there are three reasons that i think philemon does not teach or imply that slavery is permissible or that it is not that bad.
Philemon 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. First, it could be taken to mean onesimus would return to philemon as a slave, and remain so for the rest of his life. Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the lord. Listen to pastor robert furrow as he continues his commentary on 1 corinthians, starting today in 1 corinthians chapter 11, verse 17. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. Apr 11, 2019 forgiveness shines like a brilliant light throughout the bible, and one of its brightest spots is the tiny book of philemon. The book of philemons moral vision is that social hierarchies, such as the one between a powerful owner and his powerless slave, are dismantled in christ. Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our dear friend. In this short personal letter, the apostle paul asks his friend philemon to extend forgiveness to a runaway slave named onesimus. This commentary, like each in the series, is designed to serve the churchthrough aid in preaching, teaching, study groups, and so forthand demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the bible.
Verse 1 paul a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our beloved and fellowworker, prisoner. Study the bible online using commentary on philemon and more. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Study the bible online using commentary on philemon 1 and more. One of the best commentaries that are available is the matthew henry commentaries. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament book 12 kindle edition by pao, david w. Participant handouts for colossians and philemon if youre working with a class or small group, feel free to duplicate the following handouts in this appendix at no additional charge.
A runaway slave, onesimus, comes to faith in christ through the ministry of the apostle paul. Philemon 1 niv paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and. This little letter is called the greatest piece of writing ever put on paper. The first words of these verses are connected with the preceding by the for at the beginning. The comment that philemon could get onesimus back forever has been interpreted in two ways. Nuggets from the book of philemon by wayne jackson. Yet in a beautiful irony, having not made it alone in the big city, he found himself at last brought under the direct personal influence of paul the prisoner philemon 1. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. Put briefly, forgive one another even as god in christ has forgiven you. I looked up some commentaries and sermons on philemon and, in fact, found four quite different interpretations or messages depending upon whose shoesor. Philemon encouraged remember, paul considered philemon to be a fellow worker, or partner, in the spreading of the gospel verse 1.
Read philemon 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The understanding the bible commentary series helps readers navigate the strange and sometimes intimidating literary terrain of the bible. The fellowship of the gospel and the supremacy of christ 2 volumes in 1 esv edition hughes, r. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. The paperback bible presents the bible by the book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. Robertsons book notes nt commentaries adam clarke barnes notes forerunner commentary jamieson, fausset, and brown john wesleys notes matthew henry peoples commentary nt. Commentary for philemon 1 philemon was an inhabitant of colosse, a person of some note and wealth, and a convert under the ministry of st. Read commentary on this popular bible verse and understand the real meaning behind gods word using john gills. Bible story summary, key verses and lessons jun 21, 20. Colossians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will. The gospel transforms relationships philemon 1 21 today im going to preach to you an entire book of the bible. Paul opens this, his most personal letter in the canon, with a greeting to philemon, apphia and archippus.
Colossians and philemon is the first book in a projected series of twenty volumes that seeks to bring together classroom. Ephesians, colossians, philemon understanding the bible. Colossians and philemon exegetical guide to the greek new. Philemon 1 commentary philemons relationship to onesimus. Philemon 1 paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker. Philemon resources commentaries, sermons, illustrations, devotionals see disclaimer. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. Intro to philemon biblica the international bible society. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by.
Colossians and philemon exegetical guide to the greek new testament harris, murray j. A free bible version and commentary on pauls letter to philemon in easyenglish. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. Appeal for forgiveness click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission another overview chart philemon. Colossians and philemon zondervan exegetical commentary. To philemon our dear friend and fellow worker 2 also to apphia our sister and archippus our fellow soldierand to the church that meets in your home. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives.
The apostles thanksgiving and prayer for philemon are here set forth by the object, circumstance, and matter of them, with the way whereby much of the knowledge of philemons goodness came to him. In fact, you already heard an entire book of the bible as one of our readings today. Now i suspect that philemon may be a difficult book for you to find. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. So if you have your bibles with you today, open up to the book of philemon. Philemon 1516 niv perhaps the reason he was separated bible. Paul desired to keep onesimus with him there in rome, but would not do it without the consent of philemon. Philemon niv paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and bible gateway. Four verses are key as we seek to reconstruct the story behind the letter. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the lord in christ jesus. Adherents of the trinity doctrine assert that the holy spirit is a personality alongside the father and the son. In verse 8, paul says he could use his authority to order philemon to accept the slave onesimus. Philemon 1 commentary on philemon a messy christian.
1094 1240 1169 1314 471 698 1438 974 836 404 689 1023 509 509 812 806 257 198 320 1513 420 1182 1056 646 531 968 1171 146 669 838 555 737 1083 357 1186 1493 863 140 961 20 1366 789