Significance of the book of philemon commentary

Most bible commentaries help us make the journey from our world back to the world of the bible. Originally published in the mid1960s, this commentary was completely revised and republished in 1990, the year of professor bruces death. Philemon, the master of onesimus, was the principal, to whom the letter is inscribed, the head of the family, in whom were the authority and power of taking in or shutting out, and whose property onesimus was. They are not typical of the letters that people wrote at that time. This message is an overview of the book of philemon and part of a 2year study of the bible.

Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. Philemon was a wealthy christian, possibly a bishop of the house church that met in his home philemon 1. Paul also reminds philemon that philemon was a sinner. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Lyonspardue was the author of the philemon portion of the commentary. Sadly, many misconstrue this to say that paul condones slavery but that is not even in the context of the book of philemon. This letter is now generally regarded as one of the undisputed works of paul. This summary of the book of philemon provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of philemon. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv. The book of philemon is one of the most interesting, yet neglected books of the bible. To bring the ancient messages of the bible into todays world, each passage is treated in three sections. Paul does deal with the issue of brotherly love in philemon vv. Paul was a prisoner at the time verses 1 and 9, so this is one of the four prison epistles, along with ephesians, philippians, and colossians, which paul wrote during his first roman imprisonment.

The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. Philippians, colossians, and philemon, written by paul from prison in the middle of the first century, were addressed to specific christian communities facing concrete challenges. What did these letters mean at the time, and what do they mean for us today. G dunn, the epistles to the colossians and to philemon. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary galatians. But the bulk of this is mostly addressed to philemon. Philemon owed to the apostle that debt of which the obligation outweighed every other the help by which he had been led out of spiritual darkness and brought to the knowledge of the truth.

Even though paul founded the church there and explicitly told them everything they ever needed to know about jesus, the galatians havent exactly been toeing. Best philemon commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Today, we wait until the end of the letter to identify the writer, but in the first century they would put it in the beginning. Paul was imprisoned in rome when he wrote this personal. Promises to repair any wrong he had done to his master, philemon 1. Mar 11, 2020 lyonspardue was the author of the philemon portion of the commentary. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. It appears that he was a slave holder before he was saved. He extols his faith, love, and christian charity, philemon 1.

Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. There is no longer jew or greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female. Most of the new testament letters are longer than usual. Galatians, philippians, and philemon summary shmoop. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or. The significance of epistolary greetings goes beyond identifying author and audience. The niv application commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in todays context. In the first century, letters were often very short.

Harry ironside closed his sermon on philemon by quoting the words from a wellknown hymn. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. Commentaries for philemon chapter 1 pauls greetings. Lyonspardue assigns students in her general education classes to read the entire new testament as part of their coursework. In the first two verses of the preface we have the persons from and to whom it is written, with some annexed note or title, implying somewhat of. The word of god and the testimony of the prophets make clear that there is a time and place for christfollowers to address justice issues in our broader culture. This is the only place in the new testament where philemon is mentioned by name, but we do know that he was a beloved friend to paul. 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. Paul does not insist that philemon free onesimus 21. Those looking for an introductory level commentary should take a look at the works by raymond brown, donald guthrie andor hywel jones. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. The commentary is thorough yet accessible and should be consulted by all students of this book of scripture.

Garland takes the niv application format seriously, and brings these scriptures to complete and detailed contemporary application. Paul represents onesimus as a son, as my own heart, as a brother. In this addition to the catholic commentary on sacred scripture, dennis hamm explores the significance of philippians, colossians, and philemon and the enduring relevance of these letters to the life and mission of the church. About the nivac series the niv application commentary series is unique. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. Urges motives to induce philemon to forgive him, philemon 1. Paul wrote this letter to a certain person called philemon. The niv application commentary series promises to be of very great service to all who preach and teach the word of god. Packer regent college the niv application commentary series doesnt fool around. Philemon was an inhabitant of colosse, a person of some note and wealth, and a convert under the ministry of st. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. The persons written to are philemon and apphia, and with them archippus, and the church in philemons house.

Entreats forgiveness for his servant onesimus, philemon 1. 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. Pauls basic claim in philemon is the same as it is in galatians 3. Paul knows how super loving and faithful philemon is. Apr 11, 2009 there are a wealth of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews. Minister, woodland heights christian church, crawfordsville, in no. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now. He also mentioned archippus, which means a governor or master of horses. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. This book was written by paul while he was in prison around a. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.

Pauls salutation to philemon, and the church at his house, philemon 1. It also seems probable that philemon was one of pauls converts from the time he spent in ephesus. Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. So far, i have only used the commentary on philemon, but have several other volumes which i have perused at some length. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. Paul was writing philemon as a brother in christ and now that onesimus had trusted in christ, paul wanted philemon to consider him as a brother in christ too. You will also find options for commentaries on philemon that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. There are a wealth of helpful commentaries on the book of hebrews. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Philemon, a wealthy christian at colossae, and all future readers of the bible. Paul says this to persuade philemon to do the right thing. They enable us to cross the barriers of time, language, and geography that separate us from the biblical world. It is written primarily for the pastor and bible teacher, not for the scholar. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.

In verses 17, paul gives his greetings to philemon and presents his appreciation and gratitude for him as a brother and worker in jesus christ. There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. This time, paul is writing his friends philemon, apphia, and archippus. Archippus is a fellow solder in gods army, and is believed to be their. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Hes heard all about it and its warmed his little heart just thinking about all the christians that have been inspired by philemon s goodness. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the new testament. Paul then appeals to philemon throughout the rest of letter by employing language and ideas that are given their significance from the old testament and its unfolding story of redemptionwords such as saints vv. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Serious students should not neglect the classic 7 volume work by john owen banner of truth or the classic by john brown.

Philemon, dictionary of the bible and western culture sheffield. You can find the best commentary on philemon for you using the tools on the right side. This book begins by identifying paul as the author. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. The letter from paul to philemon was of a very personal nature. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus.

The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Choy in his comments about the bridging contexts, and like him, have figured out a. It is the shortest of pauls extant letters, consisting of only 335 words in the greek text. 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. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Based on solid scholarship yet readily accessible, this book is enriched with pastoral reflections and applications and. 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. The central hope of the old testament is therefore brought to mind right from the start of philemon. In the letter to philemon paul does not directly take up the issue of slavery. So, he feels sure that philemon will do the right thing.

Paul was as we must conclude from this allusion the spiritual father of philemon a phrase he himself uses in 1 corinthians 4. This letter is longer than letters usually were at that time. Philippians, colossians, philemon catholic commentary on. Based on solid scholarship yet readily accessible, this book is enriched with pastoral reflections and applications and includes sidebars on the living tradition and.

Philemon was most likely a wealthy member of the church in colosse. This series is designed for those who know biblical languages. He took the disciples with him and had discussion daily in the lecture hall of tyrannus. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book. It deals with the themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill.

Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. Philemon commentary john gills exposition of the bible. Introduction to colossians the occasion of the writing the destination of the letter the nature of the heresy the theology of the epistle the authenticity of the composition the origin of the production outline of colossians commentary on colossians ii. Though her speciality is usually the gospels, her interest in philemon was piqued by a discussion with her students.