Character study the book of philemon

A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Philemon shows us that our influence should be dramatic. During his flight, onesimus encountered paul in rome, and through his ministry came to faith in christ. Philemon really is a personal note written by paul to one man. Study in philemon by edgar pierce exposing the word. The main purpose of a summary is as a simplification highlighting the major points from the original and much longer version of the subject. One of his slaves, onesimus, had apparently stolen from him cf. What he meant is truethat this little book beautifully illustrates the salvation that every believer enjoys. Phile niv paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to apphia. Onesimus, a slave in colossae, had evidently robbed philemon, his master verse 18, and run away. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Even though paul founded the church there and explicitly told them everything they ever needed to know.

In todays article, we will explore the rich historical and cultural context surrounding the writing of the book of philemon. The 28 chapters of the acts of the apostles provide a wide variety of compelling characters, both good and bad. Martin luther wrote, we are all the lords onesimi cited by h. No one is kind to them except an old couple, baucis and philemon, who are very poor. Paul wrote this letter to philemon, a believer in colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner cf. Now philemon owned slaves, and he had a slave named onesimus. Following i will explain in my own understanding each attribute stated in the book of philemon. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Apr 23, 2019 the book of philemon offers a powerful case study of brotherly love and the importance of forgiveness and equality within the body of christ.

Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Such a character, created by the gospels influence, is a sparkling gem, an assured blessing. Study guide for philemon by david guzik blue letter bible. Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. Characters whom goethe derived from ovids metamorphoses, baucis and her husband philemon own an estate that includes a cottage, a grove of linden trees, and a chapel, where the couple happily lives in peace. The book of philemon may be short, but its 25 verses pack a powerful spiritual punch. The saints met in the home of a man named philemon, who was a convert of pauls on some earlier occasion philemon 19. Thus paul deemed it right to return onesimus to philemon. After his dramatic conversion on the road to damascus, pauls singular purpose was to prove that jesus is the christ acts 9. Not until the 19 th century was the canonicity of this book challenged and only on the grounds that it seems to be a personal letter, with no spiritual application to the church. He did what most runaway slaves apparently didhe moved into a great metropolis.

Philemon paul, a prisoner for christ jesus, and timothy. Philemon lesson 11 in character by character, series 4 ub david. Throughout the next four weeks, well be studying the book of philemon. Philemon is an awesome story of community, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation. There were millions of people in asia minor, and philemon was just one of the men who came to know the lord jesus. Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. The other pastoral epistles 1 and 2 timothy and titus are also written first to individuals, but the character of their content suggests that they were intended to be shared with the entire congregation. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. This outline of philemon is intended to assist you as you study the bible. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. Jan, 2014 philemon is an awesome story of community, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation. May you discover gods character as you read his letter to you. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Tychicus was given the responsibility of carrying pauls letter from rome to the colossians, and onesimus evidently traveled back with him col.

Philemons life demonstrated a loving cheerful servitude to his heavenly father. Short study on anger and resolving conflicts matthew 18. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus.

Main characters the book of philemon involves three main characters. We have detailed a brief summary of the book of philemon for bible study or sunday school lessons. The fugitive made his way to rome, one thousand miles to the west via land. When paul sits down to put pen to parchment to write to his friends in galatia, hes not exactly feeling the warm fuzzies for them. At the end of the letter, he sends further greetings from other fellow workers who are with him in rome. The book is filled with some of the finest saints ever to live, coming into contact with some of the most evil enemies of the cross ever to trouble the church. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. Nov 18, 2015 paul not only says who wrote the book of philemon but he also tells who he wrote in to by writing, paul, a prisoner for christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our beloved fellow. A summary of part two, chapters iii in edith hamiltons mythology. But the bulk of this is mostly addressed to philemon. In introducing philemon to us as a fellow worker, we catch a glimpse of someone with a deep dedication and a firm commitment to the cause of the lord jesus. The book is a very personal letter sent from the apostle paul see philemon 1,9,19 to his friend and son in the faith philemon.

Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. Characters of the acts of the apostles bible study guide. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor. Many people are turned off to the bible because they perceive it to be a book which addresses doctrinal issues they are unable to understand because they havent been to some religious school they think understanding the bible requires some theological degree.

Study 10 the letter of paul to philemon words of life. Philemon lesson 11 in character by character, series 4. But we must take it out of the lab and put it into life if we are to gain. The letter which paul wrote to philemon became canonized. From this we may conclude that he was a fine example of christian character to all around him, and most likely he spoke frequently for the. As philemon forgave onesimus on pauls request, it was as if he was giving a drink of cold water in the name of a disciple and he shall be rewarded for it matthew 10. Paul writes to philemon from a prison cell in rome. Philemon 1 25 the letter to philemon is the shortest of pauls letters. We know little of philemon in this letter except that he was likely enough to be wealthy, but some comments can be made about his character. A believer in colossi to whom paul addressed a beautiful cameo of knightliness the man whose slave came back. Allow pauls letter to philemon to encourage forgiveness in your own life, and trust god to foster renewed life in your heart and your relationships.

Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a window into pauls personal life and relationships, showing us how the apostle lived out his faith in real life. Character study 5, paul 31 minutes, click on the play button below. The letters to titus and philemon by francis dixon scripture portion. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament.

It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. But paul realized that onesimus had a responsibility to philemon and should make restitution for his thievery. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. Onesimus took a chance one day, as any slave would have done, and made a run for it. Paul then wrote this letter to philemon, pleading with him to forgive onesimus and to receive him back. Acts includes apostles, prophets and miracle workers. There was a church there, perhaps established by epaphras colossians 1.

The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Philemon stands as one piece of strong evidence to the contrary, revealing that lofty doctrines such as the love of god, forgiveness in christ, or the inherent dignity of humanity have real and pertinent impact in everyday life. Paul character bible study background and lessons name. What caught my attention was the fact that this book had never. After building his seaside kingdom, however, faust becomes obsessed by the fact that he himself does not control their estateit is the last piece of land in fausts. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Moule, colossian and philemon studies christian literature crusade, pp. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon information useful to understand before a study of the letters contents slavery in the grecoroman world one of the most important things to understand about philemon is the. This epistle is the story of three main characters, onesimus, philemon and paul and their interaction. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19.

Slavery was widespread in the roman empire according to some estimates, slaves constituted one third, perhaps more, of the population and an accepted part of life. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. It consists of only 25 verses and is the only private letter. However, the continuation and further development of these churches depended, humanly speaking, on the local believers who nurtured and discipled the groups of christians meeting in different homes. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. These small group studies of philemon contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of philemon information useful to understand before a study of the letters contents slavery in the grecoroman world one of the most important things to understand about philemon is the background of slavery in the ancient world. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of mythology and what it means. Onesimus in the bible the book of philemon hubpages. The character of baucis and philemon in faust from. The motives of one who forgives philemon 1925 resource recommendations for philemon from d edmond hiebert. One day, jupiter and mercury latin hermes descend to earth in disguise in order to test the hospitality of the people of phrygia.

He recalls the joy and comfort he has drawn from philemons love, and how his benevolence has refreshed all the christians. Paul possibly never imagined that it would later become part of the new testament but it was accepted as such quite early in the churchs history and it was widely circulated among the churches. Though pauls letter to philemon is very brief, it is packed with rich nuggets of truth that truly. Pauls letter to his christian brother philemon gives us a.

The study guide concludes with an entire section of discussion questions revolving around philemon, paul and onesimus. 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. The love of baucis and philemon is also rewarded by the gods. Lessons learned from philemon simple bible studies.

A benjamite, a pharisee trained under the famous gamaliel, circumcised the eighth day, a roman citizen. Paul possibly never imagined that it would later become part of the new testament but it was accepted as such. It consists of only 25 verses and is the only private letter of pauls that has been included in scripture. Although the book of philemon is about sin, forgiveness, salvation, love, validation, inspiration, grace is amongst all. Though this little book is only twentyfive verses in the english bible, it is packed with. This time, paul is writing his friends philemon, apphia, and archippus. From the asia minor province comes a man of powerful character philemon, one who created a character that magnified god comforted brethren. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority.

While looking through the index of my study bible, trying to decide upon the topic of my next study, i noticed the book of philemon. The character of philemon forthright fellowship room. Philemon kjv paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and. During the apostle pauls missionary journeys, many churches, both large and small, were established by him. To download the podcast, right click on download and select save link as or save target read more categories. Paul knows how super loving and faithful philemon is. The other pastoral epistles 1 and 2 timothy and titus are also written first to individuals, but the character of their. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. The book of philemon is as several authors have said, like looking over the shoulder of philemon as he reads his personal mail. Philemon, the rich, influential and pious colossian was doubtless led to christ by paul, who therefore had power in his appeal for the return of onesimus, philemons runaway slave, another convert of the apostle. Let us use philemons character as a standard of honest evaluation for ourselves. Having highlighted philemons faith and love, paul moves on to tell philemon that he is praying that the sharing of his faith with others will spread the knowledge of all that is to be found and possessed in christ. Who was onesimus that is mentioned in the book of philemon. That he was apparently a resident of colossae is supported by the fact that his slave, onesimus, was a colossian colossians 4.