Article Index

Names of the Book

SAINT PAUL- James Tissot

English:  Philemon
Greek:  Φιλήμων
Transliterated:  Philēmōn
Other names:  Paul's epistle to Philemon

 

whoWho

Wrote the book:  Paul
Are the key people:  Paul, Philemon, Onesimus
Is it written to:  Philemon, believers in Colossae

 

whatWhat

Paul's appreciation of Philemon and his friendship (Philemon 1-7)
Paul's appeal to Philemon for Onesimus (Philemon 8-25)

 

whenWhen

Was it written:  c 60 CE
Did the events occur:  c 60 CE
Was it canonized:  c 70-170 CE
(see the Timeline of the First Century)

 

whereWhere

Was it written:  Rome (while Paul was in prison)
Did the events occur:  Colossae, Rome

 

whyWhy

Philemon was written to inform us that: 
Believers should forgive others.
There are no barriers that can separate us from G-d's love.
Believers should respect others as individuals who can make their own choices.

 

whyIntroduction

Philemon was a co-laborer with Paul in the work of ministry. Philemon's slave, Onesimus, had stolen some property and run away. Paul later met Onesimus and led him to faith in Messiah Yeshua. Paul writes to Philemon urging him to reconcile with Onesimus and accept him back into his household as a fellow believer rather than as a slave. Noting that Onesimus (which means "useful") was formerly "useless" to Philemon but, as a believer, is now "useful" to both of them, Paul sends Onesimus back to his former master. He expresses his willingness to pay any debt Onesimus owed to Philemon and thus provides encouragement to all believers to reconcile with one another.

 

 

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

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Today is

Yom Sh'lishi, 9 Adar II, 5784

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

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