Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. The niv application commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in todays context. He was the common friend of the parties at variance. Introduction to philemon this epistle has an inscription, salutation, and preface, the same with others, which are in philemon 1. Colossians, ephesians and philemon, paul bound, the gospel. This slave had run away from the household of philemon. The name stands for the original promise with god to the descendants of abraham in particular prior to the coming of jesus christ in the new testament or the new promise. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. Working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book. 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. Philemon kjv paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and bible.
Colossians, ephesians and philemon, paul bound, the. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It takes up less space than the original fiftyvolume set. The authors explore the context and meaning of the biblical books while showing the value and truth of the texts in ancient times and today. This volume on ephesians, colossians, and philemon begins with an introductory section which discusses the origin, authorship, purpose, and contents of these letters. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. The commentary on colossians and philemon by peter obrien number 44 in the word biblical commentary series is a worthy endeavor, suitable for the biblical scholar and the layperson alike. The power of the gospel in winning a runaway thief and slave. It also seems probable that philemon was one of pauls converts from the time he spent in ephesus. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book 12. Philemon 1, new international version niv the bible app. 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. Because believers in jesus are equal partners in the new humanity, paul asks philemon to forgive his runaway slave onesimus.
Expositors bible commentary philemon commentary alexander maclaren. The first principle is to note the historical setting in which a biblical book was written and the particular. Bob utley, retired professor of hermeneutics biblical interpretation. 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.
Yet when paul prayed for philemons compassion in verse 7, heart was. Biblical commentary bible study philemon 121 exegesis. Beales colossians and philemon commentary in the becnt series. I taught colossians for years, used a commentary i really liked, and so i still turn first to peter obrien, word biblical commentary vol. The book of philemon was written in approximately a. To bring the ancient messages of the bible into todays world, each passage is treated in three sections. The word biblical commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to scripture as divine revelation. Philemon commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in. Philemon with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. In spite of the cumbersome format, all students of colossians and philemon should consult obrien on these two epistles. To win philemons willing acceptance of onesimus, paul writes very tactfully and in a lighthearted tone, which he creates with a wordplay see note on v.
Gordon fee in his book how to read the ible for all its worth lays out the form of ancient letters as follows with examples from philemon added. The brevity of this epistle is the sole cause of its escaping. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Paul wrote to philemon, a christian brother living in colosse. Promises to repair any wrong he had done to his master, philemon 1. Study the bible online using commentary on philemon and more. Bible verses commentary book of philemon scourby bible media 1 paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer, bible verses commentary. Urges motives to induce philemon to forgive him, philemon 1. In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Annual lesson commentary on bible school lessons 1956, pp. The letter to the colossians and to philemon pillar new testament commentary by douglas j.
Philemon is a perfect example of what ancient letters were typically like in the grecoroman world. Partner with the blb disclaimer multiverse retrieval. The title of this letter is the name of the addressee, taken from verse 1. This volume in the niv application commentary series discusses the meaning of colossians and philemon in its biblical context and then applies it to. A commentary focusing on the translation and grammatical structure of colossians and philemon. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest epistle verses 1. Philemon bible study lesson 1 historical backgrounds of. Paul also reminds philemon that philemon was a sinner. Colossians, philemon plagiarism acknowledged by peter t. He mentions this also in his other prison epistles ephesians.
G dunn, the epistles to the colossians and to philemon. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. Second principle the second principle is to identify the literary units. It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. Its canonicity was widely recognized in the early church, particularly by ignatius, tertullian, origen, eusebius, marcion, and in the muratorian canon. Read philemon commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews.
Best commentaries and books on philemon logos bible software. Philemon 1 commentary william barclays daily study bible. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. The epistle is addressed to philemon, with the church in his house, and to sister apphia and archippus. Dunn examines colossians and philemon within the context of the jewish and hellenistic cultures in the first century and discusses the place of colossians and philemon in the relationship between the pauline mission and the early churches that received these letters.
He extols his faith, love, and christian charity, philemon 1. For this reason, this study guide commentary is designed to provide an introduction to each book of the bible. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Colossians, ephesians and philemon, then later, philippians by dr. He took the disciples with him and had discussion daily in the lecture hall of tyrannus.
Paul had heard of philemons love, for the lord and his saints, as well as his faith. Philemon was a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home. Philemon king james version kjv 1 paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and timothy our brother, unto philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 and to our beloved apphia, and archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house. The old testament also known as the jewish tanakh is the first 39 books in most christian bibles.
The new international biblical commentary is a conservative treatment of the scriptures. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness. Best philemon commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. In pauls day, slavery had virtually eclipsed free labor.
Bible verses commentary book of philemon you bible app. The book of philemon demonstrates the gospel in action. Beale colossians and philemon exegetical commentary. Philemon 1 bible commentary john gills exposition of the bible. In the first century, letters were often very short. The letter to philemon is the shortest of all pauls writings and deals with the practice of slavery. Philemon 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely. The author of the book of philemon was the apostle paul philemon 1. Faussett introduction the testimonies to its authenticity areorigen homily 19, on jeremiah, vol. This study guide commentary is designed to help the. 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. Then, paul appealed to philemon on behalf of philemons slave. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend philemon on behalf of a slave named onesimus, who had become a christian. His commentary on colossians and philemon in the wbc series is less technical than his commentary on philippians in the nigtc series, but it is made unnecessarily difficult by the wbc format.
Philemon provides valuable historical insights into the early churchs relationship to the institution of slavery. Philemon commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The epistle shows that he was a believing christian and an esteemed acquaintance of the apostle. Nov 28, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This epistle stands alone among pauls letters in being addressed to a private christian, and in being entirely occupied with a small though very singular private matter. It seems likely paul had gotten his information from onesimus. Christian love and forgiveness are given prominence in the book of philemon. Dunn, new internation greek testament commentary nigtc, eerdmans, 1996, 405 pp. The evangelical exegetical commentary series incorporates the latest in critical biblical scholarship, yet each volume is written from a distinctly evangelical perspective.
Both of these would have been evident in his conduct. Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. The book of philemon illustrates that principles like these can and should profoundly affect the lives of believers. Twice he speaks of being a prisoner of jesus christ. Best colossians commentaries updated for 2020 best. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. Interpreters have no right to isolate one aspect of truth by excluding others. This letter is longer than letters usually were at that time.
I am also working on a sequel to my earlier new testament biblical theology grand rapids. 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. Philemon, dictionary of the bible and western culture sheffield. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. This book is an example of a private letter, so common in the first century grecoroman world.
To philemon our dear friend and fellow worker 2also to apphia our sister and archippus our fellow soldierand to the church that meets in your home. Activity read the parts of the letter and let them identify it in the letter 1. Wiersbe if you can locate the sixvolume edition of the expositors bible, buy it immediately. The letter suggests that paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Paul does not identify himself as an apostle with authority, but as a prisoner of jesus christ, calling. You, the bible, and the holy spirit are priority in interpretation. Blue letter bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on christ and the gospel of his peace and righteousness. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. He must conciliate a man who supposed that he had good reason to be offended.
Apparently philemon was welltodo, for his home was large enough to accommodate the church assemblies, and he was a slave owner. You can find the best commentary on philemon for you using the tools on the right side. Colossians, philemon the niv application commentary book 12 ebook. 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.
Its written to philemon whose slave onesimus ran away and became a believer under pauls teaching. Pauls epistle to philemon is one of the few books in the nt whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. One of pauls shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of philemon demonstrates the gospel through action. Paul is writing this letter in his older age and in prison in rome. His introductory material, which covers approximately 28 pages, is thorough yet concise.
There is little doubt that paul wrote this epistle, since he refers to himself at least three times in verses 1, 9 and 19. Paul says this to persuade philemon to do the right thing. Entreats forgiveness for his servant onesimus, philemon 1. So, he feels sure that philemon will do the right thing. This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the bible. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. A free bible version and commentary on pauls letter to philemon in easyenglish. The persons written to are philemon and apphia, and with them archippus, and the church in philemons house.
I am also beginning to work on a commentary on the pastoral epistles for the zondervan exegetical commentary series coauthored with christopher beetham. Philemon kjv paul, a prisoner of jesus christ, and. 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 helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his escaped former slave onesimus, and shows that they are equals because of jesus. The apostles joy and praise for philemon s steady faith in the lord jesus, and love to all the saints. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus ones mind and heart upon christ and his gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary. Therefore, read the entire biblical book at one sitting. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Pauls salutation to philemon, and the church at his house, philemon 1. Read philemon commentary using john gills exposition of the bible. The primary concern of the zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament series is to illuminate the meaning of the greek text by examining its lexical and grammatical forms in order to determine the intended meaning of the original author. Onesimus, a slave belonging to philemon, had fled from his master, possibly stealing money in the process vv.
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