
Who wrote books in the Bible that are prophets?
While there were hundreds of prophets who ministered throughout the Old Testament period, there are only 16 prophets who wrote books that were eventually included in the Bible. Each of the books they wrote is titled after their name; so, Isaiah wrote the Book of Isaiah.
What is the purpose of the Book of Philemon?
What is the Purpose of the Book of Philemon?
- Book of Philemon. Paul declares himself to actually be the author in this short, one chapter Book of Philemon. ...
- Slavery. ...
- The Christian Duty. ...
- Brothers in Christ. ...
- Employer – Employee. ...
- Co-Heirs, Co-Equals. ...
- Like Family. ...
- Like a Father. ...
- Conclusion. ...
Who is Philemon in the New Testament?
Who Is Philemon In The New Testament? Philemon was a wealthy Christian, possibly a bishop of the house church that met in his home (Philemon 1:1–2) in Colossae. This letter is now generally regarded as one of the undisputed works of Paul. It is the shortest of Paul’s extant letters, consisting of only 335 words in the Greek text.
What does Philemon Chapter 1 mean?
What does Philemon chapter 1 mean? Philemon chapter 1 is the first and only chapter of Philemon, the shortest of the apostle Paul's 13 letters. A large portion of the letter addresses the Roman practice of slavery, specifically in the life of a man named Onesimus. This man was a runaway slave of Philemon, a church leader in Colossae.

What is the book of Philemon about?
The book of Philemon is a personal letter from the apostle Paul to his friend Philemon whom he calls a “dear friend and fellow worker” ( Philemon 1:1 ). In the book of Philemon, Paul appeals to his friend on behalf of a runaway slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had somehow connected with Paul, who was imprisoned in Rome.
Why did Onesimus become a believer?
Onesimus became a believer, but, because he was the property of Philemon, Paul sent him back to his owner with a letter. • he owned at least one slave, as did most affluent people in that region of the world, now known as Turkey.
What does the name Philemon mean?
His name means “affectionate” in Greek, and, from all we know about Philemon, he lived up to his name. Paul had led Philemon to faith on one of his visits to Asia Minor and had stayed in Philemon’s home when in that region. The only mention of Philemon in the Bible is in the book by that name.
What is the relationship between Paul and Philemon?
The relationship between Paul and Philemon is clearly warm and respectful. Paul is comfortable enough with the friendship to gently remind his friend that Philemon owed Paul his “very self” for introducing him to Jesus ( Philemon 1:19 ).
What was the purpose of the letter to Philemon?
Purpose of Writing: The letter to Philemon is the shortest of all Paul’s writings and deals with the practice of slavery. The letter suggests that Paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home.
Why did Paul try to unite Philemon and Onesimus?
Paul attempted to unite both Philemon and Onesimus with Christian love so that emancipation would become necessary. Only after exposure to the light of the gospel could the institution of slavery die. Connections: Perhaps nowhere in the New Testament is the distinction between law and grace so beautifully portrayed.
What law gave Philemon the right to punish a runaway slave who was considered property?
Both Roman law and the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament gave Philemon the right to punish a runaway slave who was considered property. But the covenant of grace through the Lord Jesus allowed both master and slave to fellowship in love on an equal basis in the body of Christ.
What does Philemon 16 mean?
Philemon 16: "…no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.". Philemon 18: "If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.".
Why did Paul write Onesimus?
Onesimus was still the property of Philemon, and Paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. Through Paul’s witnessing to him, Onesimus had become a Christian ( Philemon 10) and Paul wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ and not merely as a slave. Key Verses:
Who was the slave that robbed Paul's master?
During the time of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, Philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard Paul’s preaching and became a Christian. The slave Onesimus robbed his master, Philemon, and ran away, making his way to Rome and to Paul.
Did Paul condemn slavery?
In Philemon, Paul did not condemn slavery, but he presented Onesimus as a Christian brother instead of a slave. When an owner can refer to a slave as a brother, the slave has reached a position in which the legal title of slave is meaningless.
What did Onesimus convert to?
3. Conversion: Paul took an interest in him, Onesimus was converted to Christianity, and ministered to Paul (10-13)
When Onesimus is sent to his master, is he a slave?
When Onesimus is sent to his master ‘no longer as a slave, but as a dear brother’, formal emancipation would be but a matter of expediency, the technical confirmation of the new relationship that had already come into being” ( Paul: Apostle, p. 401).
What is the significance of Acts 27:2 ff?
1) This is a known imprisonment of Paul’s which allows for the events reflected in Colossians and Philemon. 2) Acts supports Luke’s presence in Rome with Paul (the “we” sections; Acts 27:2 ff) 3) Paul was under house-arrest in Rome which would have allowed him visitors such as co-workers and Onesimus.
Who is Paul's fellow worker?
Fellow-worker: Philemon is described as Paul’s fellow-worker ( Phil. 1) who loves the saints ( Phil. 5 ,7) c. From Colossae: He seems to have lived in Colossae since Colossians says that Onesimus (4:9) and Archippus (4:17) belong to the church at Colossae and Archippus is addressed by Paul in Philemon (v. 2) 2.
Who was the slave that ran away?
1. Runaway: A slave named Onesimus from Colossae wronged his Christian owner Philemon (and then ran off (or by running off) 14
What are the other names of the church in Philemon's house?
2. Other Names: Apphia, Archippus, and the church in Philemon’s house
Who was entrusted with the letter with Onesimus as a companion?
Messengers: In Colossians 4:7-9 Tychicus was entrusted with the letter with Onesimus as a companion; this Onesimus is the same one of Philemon. 3. If the location is the same as that for Colossians, than Paul’s first Roman imprisonment seems to be the best choice for the following reasons: a.
Who wrote the book?
One of the visitors converted under Paul’s teaching was a man named Philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of Colossae ( Philemon 1:19 ). In the Bible book that bears Philemon’s name, Paul addressed his “beloved brother” as a “fellow worker,” a title given to those who served for a time alongside Paul. (Gospel writers Mark and Luke also received this title later in the letter [1:1, 24]). Clearly, a kinship existed between Paul and Philemon, one that would serve a significant purpose in light of the circumstance that brought about the letter.
Where are we?
A slave named Onesimus had escaped from his owner, Philemon, and had run away from Colossae to Rome in the hope that he could disappear into that populous, urban environment. Once in Rome, Onesimus, either by accident or by his own design, came in contact with Paul, who promptly led the runaway slave to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul had already been planning to send a letter to the Colossian church by the hand of Tychicus. So in AD 60 or 61 from a prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote a personal letter to Philemon and sent Onesimus the slave back to Colossae.
Why is Philemon so important?
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 illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers.
What did Paul ask Philemon to forgive?
So Paul made a request. He wanted Philemon to forgive Onesimus, to accept the slave as a brother in Christ, and to consider sending Onesimus back to Paul, as the apostle found him useful in God’s service (1:11–14). Paul did not minimize Onesimus ’s sin.
What was Paul's message to Philemon?
Paul’s message to Philemon was a simple one: based on the work of love and forgiveness that had been wrought in Philemon’s heart by God, show the same to the escaped and now-believing slave Onesimus. The apostle’s message would have had extra force behind it because he knew Philemon personally.
What is Philemon's strong evidence?
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.
Who sent Onesimus the slave back to Colossae?
Paul had already been planning to send a letter to the Colossian church by the hand of Tychicus. So in AD 60 or 61 from a prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote a personal letter to Philemon and sent Onesimus the slave back to Colossae.

Who Wrote The Book?
Where Are We?
- A slave named Onesimus had escaped from his owner, Philemon, and had run away from Colossae to Rome in the hope that he could disappear into that populous, urban environment. Once in Rome, Onesimus, either by accident or by his own design, came in contact with Paul, who promptly led the runaway slave to faith in Jesus Christ. Paul hadalready been planning to send …
Why Is Philemon So Important?
- The letter to Philemon reminds us that God’s revelation to humanity is intensely personal. In more formal biblical works such as the Gospels or the epistle to the Romans or even Paul’s letters to churches at Philippi or Colossae, it might be easy to get the impression that God does not care or have time for the trials and tribulations in a single household. Philemon stands as one piece of s…
What's The Big Idea?
- Paul’s message to Philemon was a simple one: based on the work of love and forgiveness that had been wrought in Philemon’s heart by God, show the same to the escaped and now-believing slave Onesimus. The apostle’s message would have had extra force behind it because he knew Philemonpersonally. Paul had explained the gospel to Philemon and had witnessed the profoun…
How Do I Apply this?
- Live long enough, and you will understand the difficulty of offering forgiveness when you have been wronged. It does not come easy, yet as believers, we have to recognize that our ability and willingness to offer it are the result of Christ’s saving work on the cross. Because of that fact, forgiveness serves as a determining factor in who we say we are and howwe hope to live our liv…