WHAT ARE YOU LIVING IN LIGHT OF?

Finding Joy in August: Study of Philemon

Photo by Vladislav Babienko on Unsplash

Background Information on Philemon

• WHO WROTE IT?
  This letter (epistle) was written by the Apostle Paul and consists of just 25 verses, making it the shortest and possibly the most personal of all his letters. Paul’s inclusion of Timothy in the Greeting indicates their agreeance on the contents of the letter.

• TO WHOM DID THEY WRITE IT?
  Philemon, Apphia (possibly Philemon's wife), Archippus (likely the leader of the church and Philemon's son), and the house church. However, the letter is specifically directed to Philemon.

• WHEN/WHERE WAS IT WRITTEN?
  There is some debate about which imprisonment Paul wrote this letter from. Still, it was most likely during his first Roman imprisonment (AD 60-61), the same period when he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

• WHY WAS IT WRITTEN?
  Paul writes to Philemon concerning his runaway slave, Onesimus, whom Paul converted. Although Onesimus was helpful to Paul and his ministry, Paul sent him back to Philemon to advocate that Philemon graciously accept him back as a brother in Christ rather than a slave. This letter portrays Paul’s heart to respect Philemon’s rights while simultaneously encouraging him to show forgiveness and embrace Onesimus as a fellow believer.

• WHAT IS THE OVERALL MESSAGE?
  The overall theme of this letter is forgiveness and the purpose for which we show forgiveness to others.

• WHAT ELSE TO KNOW?

  • Connection to Colossians:
    This letter is closely associated with Colossians. It is believed that Paul's coworker, Tychicus, delivered this letter along with the letters to the Colossians and Ephesians. Philemon hosted a home church in Colossae, indicating his possible wealth and conversion through Paul's ministry.

• Outline:

  • Introduction (1-7)

    • Greeting (1-3)

    • Thanksgiving and Prayer (4-7)

  • Body (8-22)

    • Appeal to Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother

  • Conclusion (23-25)

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Joyfully HIS

Jennifer N. Pearson