One of the Books of the Bible in the New Testament.
Basics
- Author: Paul and Timothy. (Philemon 1) "I" is used from verse 4 onward, so Paul must be the principal author.
- Audience: Philemon, Apphia, Achippus, and the church in Philemon's house
- Length: Only 25 verses long.
- Order: Titus > Philemon > Hebrews
(The ESV Study BibleTM, English Standard Version (ESV) by Crossway Bibles, 2007. Page 2353)
Philemon our beloved fellow worker
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. - Philemon 7
Paul and Timothy write to him as they send his bondservant Onesimus back to him, asking to welcome him as he would Paul, make him a brother not a bondservant, and charge his wrongs and debts to Paul's account to repay.
Paul notes his love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all saints, and he says the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through him.
(Philemon)
Philemon Summary
Topics
Figures
Other
- Bondservant
- Brother
- Prisoner for Christ, prisoner in Christ Jesus
Verses
- Philemon 1-3 - Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother. To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Philemon 6 - and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ
- Philemon 8-9 - Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus
- Philemon 14 - but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
- Philemon 16 - no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
- Philemon 17-19 - So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
- Philemon 23-25 - Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.