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Introduction to Philemon

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Philemon

  1. Paul greets Philemon (1:1-3)
  2. Paul makes requests of Philemon about Onesimus (1:4-21)
  3. Conclusion (1:22-25)

Who wrote the Book of Philemon?

Paul wrote Philemon. Paul was from the city of Tarsus. He had been known as Saul in his early life. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a Pharisee. He persecuted Christians. After he became a Christian, he traveled several times throughout the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus.

Paul was in a prison when he wrote this letter.

What is the Book of Philemon about?

Paul wrote this letter to a man named Philemon. Philemon was a Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. He owned a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and possibly stole something from him as well. Onesimus went to Rome and visited Paul in prison.

Paul told Philemon that he was sending Onesimus back to him. Philemon had the right to execute Onesimus according to Roman law. But Paul said that Philemon should accept Onesimus back as a Christian brother. He even suggested that Philemon should allow Onesimus to come back to Paul and help him in prison.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “Philemon.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “Pauls Letter to Philemon” or “The Letter Paul wrote to Philemon.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Does this letter approve of the practice of slavery?

Paul sent Onesimus back to his former master. But that did not mean Paul thought slavery was an acceptable practice. Instead, Paul was more concerned with people serving God in whatever situation they were in.

What does Paul mean by the expression “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” etc.?

Paul meant to express the idea of a very close union with Christ and the believers. See the introduction to the Book of Romans for more details about this kind of expression.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Singular and plural “you”

In this book, the word “I” refers to Paul. The word “you” is almost always singular and refers to Philemon. The two exceptions to this are 1:22 and 1:25. There “you” refers to Philemon and the believers that met at his house. (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

31:1sg4frc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Three times Paul identifies himself as the author of this letter. Evidently Timothy was with him and probably wrote the words down as Paul said them. Paul greets others who meet for church at Philemons house. All instances of “I,” “me,” and “my” refer to Paul. Philemon is the main person to whom this letter is written. All instances of “you” and “your” refer to him and are singular unless otherwise noted. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

41:1niq3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveΠαῦλος, δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος, ὁ ἀδελφὸς; Φιλήμονι1

Your language may have a particular way of introducing the authors of a letter. Alternate translation: “I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, are writing this letter to Philemon” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

51:1cgs4δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ1

“a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.” People who opposed Pauls preaching had punished him by putting him into prison.

61:1sv3pὁ ἀδελφὸς1

Here this means a fellow Christian.

71:1r3l9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveτῷ ἀγαπητῷ & ἡμῶν1

The word “our” here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

81:1ww3lκαὶ & συνεργῷ1

“who, like us, works to spread the gospel”

91:2e8surc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveτῇ ἀδελφῇ & τῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν1

The word “our” here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

101:2zh5crc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἈπφίᾳ, τῇ ἀδελφῇ1

Here “sister” means she was a believer, and not a relative. Alternate translation: “Apphia our fellow believer” or “Apphia our spiritual sister” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

111:2sq44rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἈρχίππῳ1

This is the name of a man in the church with Philemon. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

121:2mnn5rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν1

Paul speaks here of Archippus as if they were both soldiers in an army. He means that Archippus works hard, as Paul himself works hard, to spread the gospel. Alternate translation: “our fellow spiritual warrior” or “who also fights the spiritual battle with us” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

131:3r4nqχάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” This is a blessing.

141:3e5z8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusiveΘεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν1

The word “our” here refers to Paul, those with him, and the reader. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

151:3lh8arc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατρὸς ἡμῶν1

This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

161:4kh5lrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive0

The word “us” is plural and refers to Paul, those with him, and all Christians, including the readers. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

171:6t54lἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου1

“your working together with us”

181:6pxw1ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ1

“result in knowing what is good”

191:6n25eεἰς Χριστόν1

“because of Christ”

201:7aq4grc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ1

Here “hearts” is a metonym for a persons emotions or inner being. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you have encouraged believers” or “you have helped the believers” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

211:7m5ipσοῦ, ἀδελφέ1

“you, dear brother” or “you, dear friend.” Paul called Philemon “brother” because they were both believers and he emphasizing their friendship.

221:8ayy10

Paul begins his plea and the reason for his letter.

231:8fd84πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν1

Possible meanings are (1) “authority because of Christ” or (2) “courage because of Christ.” Alternate translation: “courage because Christ has given me authority”

241:9l9fhδιὰ τὴν ἀγάπην1

Possible meanings: (1) “because I know that you love Gods people” (2) “because you love me” or (3) “because I love you”

251:10lsr60

Onesimus is the name of a man. He was apparently Philemons slave and had stolen something and ran away.

261:10m6fwrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorτοῦ ἐμοῦ τέκνου & Ὀνήσιμον1

“my son Onesimus.” Paul speaks of the way he is friends with Onesimus as if it were the way a father and his son love each other. Onesimus was not Pauls actual son, but he received spiritual life when Paul taught him about Jesus, and Paul loved him. Alternate translation: “my spiritual son Onesimus” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

271:10dj9hrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesὈνήσιμον1

The name “Onesimus” means “profitable” or “useful.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

281:10mui3rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1

Here “fathered” is a metaphor that means Paul converted Onesimus to Christ. Alternate translation: “who became my spiritual son when I taught him about Christ and he received new life while I was in my chains” or “who became like a son to me while I was in my chains” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

291:10nx1prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1

Prisoners were often bound in chains. Paul was in prison when he taught Onesimus and was still in prison when he wrote this letter. Alternate translation: “while I was in prison … while I am in prison” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

301:12t1kpὃν ἀνέπεμψά σοι1

Paul was probably sending Onesimus with another believer who carried this letter.

311:12h9qvrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyτοῦτ’ ἔστιν τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα1

Here “heart” is a metonym for a persons emotions. The phrase “who is my very heart” is a metaphor for loving someone. Paul was saying this about Onesimus. Alternate translation: “whom I love dearly” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

321:13t4xlἵνα ὑπὲρ σοῦ μοι διακονῇ1

“so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me” or “so that he could help me in your place”

331:13bb3trc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymyἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1

Prisoners were often bound in chains. Paul was in prison when he taught Onesimus and was still in prison when he wrote this letter. Alternate translation: “while I am in prison” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

341:13iwa8rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitτοῦ εὐαγγελίου1

Paul was in prison because he preached the gospel publicly. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “because I preach the gospel” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

351:14g9wprc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegativesχωρὶς δὲ τῆς σῆς γνώμης, οὐδὲν ἠθέλησα ποιῆσαι1

Paul states a double negative to mean the opposite. Alternate translation: “But I wanted to keep him with me only if you approved” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])

361:14jxi7ἵνα μὴ ὡς κατὰ ἀνάγκην τὸ ἀγαθόν σου ᾖ, ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον1

“I did not want you to do this good deed because I commanded you to do it, but because you wanted to do it”

371:14ngg8ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον1

“but because you freely chose to do the right thing”

381:15q1drrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassiveτάχα γὰρ διὰ τοῦτο, ἐχωρίσθη πρὸς ὥραν, ἵνα1

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Perhaps the reason God took Onesimus away from you for a time was so that” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

391:15fp5vπρὸς ὥραν1

“during this time”

401:16l3e4ὑπὲρ δοῦλον1

“more valuable than a slave”

411:16f8tzἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν1

“a dear brother” or “a precious brother in Christ”

421:16f38vπόσῳ δὲ μᾶλλον σοὶ1

“he means even more to you”

431:16yub9rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorκαὶ ἐν σαρκὶ1

“both as a man.” Paul is referring to Onesimus being a trustworthy servant. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

441:16scj1ἐν Κυρίῳ1

“as a brother in the Lord” or “because he belongs to the Lord”

451:17e1j2εἰ & με ἔχεις κοινωνόν1

“if you think of me as a fellow worker for Christ”

461:18u5m1τοῦτο ἐμοὶ ἐλλόγα1

“say that I am the one who owes you”

471:19wb53ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί1

“I, Paul, write this myself.” Paul wrote this part with his own hand so that Philemon would know that the words were really from Paul. Paul really would pay him.

481:19gn6crc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ironyἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι1

“I do not need to remind you” or “You already know.” Paul says he does not need to tell Philemon this, but then continues to tell him anyway. This emphasizes the truth of what Paul is telling him. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])

491:19st7erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitσεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις1

“you owe me your own life.” Paul was implying that Philemon should not say that Onesimus or Paul owed him anything because Philemon owed Paul even more. The reason Philemon owed Paul his life can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “you owe me much because I saved your life” or “you owe me your own life because what I told you saved your life” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

501:20j8lhrc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ1

Here “refresh” is a metaphor for comfort or encourage. Here “heart” is a metonym for a persons feelings, thoughts, or inner being. How Paul wanted Philemon refresh his heart can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “encourage me in Christ” or “comfort me in Christ” or “refresh my heart in Christ by accepting Onesimus kindly” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

511:21am1erc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you0

Here the words “your” and “you” are plural and refer to Philemon and the believers that met at his house. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

521:21xpn60

Paul closes his letter and gives a blessing on Philemon and the believers that met for church in Philemons house.

531:21g6fxπεποιθὼς τῇ ὑπακοῇ σου1

“Because I am sure that you will do what I ask”

541:22bx62ἅμα1

“Also”

551:22akw1καὶ ἑτοίμαζέ μοι ξενίαν1

“make a room in your house ready for me.” Paul asked Philemon to do this for him.

561:22ctr4χαρισθήσομαι ὑμῖν1

“those who are keeping me in prison will set me free so that I can go to you.”

571:23x2d8rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesἘπαφρᾶς1

This is a fellow believer and prisoner with Paul. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

581:23khx1ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ1

“who is in prison with me because he serves Christ Jesus”

591:24si6pΜᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς, οἱ συνεργοί μου1

“Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers, also greet you”

601:24i5gcrc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-namesΜᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς1

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

611:24gf6eοἱ συνεργοί μου1

“the men who work with me” or “who all work with me.”

621:25gq7prc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν1

The word “your” here refers to Philemon and all who met in his house. The words “your spirit” are a synecdoche and represent the people themselves. Alternate translation: “May our Lord Jesus Christ be kind to you” (See: [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-you]] and [[rc:///ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])