en_tn/en_tn_58-PHM.tsv

14 KiB
Raw Permalink Blame History

1BookChapterVerseIDSupportReferenceOrigQuoteOccurrenceGLQuoteOccurrenceNote
2PHMfrontintrosz2w0

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://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Does this letter approve 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://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

3PHM11sg4ffigs-you0General Information:

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 singular “you” and “your” refer to Philemon unless otherwise noted. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])

4PHM11ne8kfigs-exclusiveΠαῦλος, 1
5PHM11cgs4δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ1a prisoner of Christ Jesus

People who opposed Pauls preaching had punished him by putting him in prison.

6PHM11sv3pὁ ἀδελφὸς1our brother

Here brother means a fellow Christian.

7PHM11r3l9figs-exclusiveἡμῶν1our

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

8PHM11ww3lκαὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν1and our fellow worker

alternate translation: “who, like us, works to spread the gospel”

9PHM12e8sufigs-exclusiveἡμῶν1our

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

10PHM12kyzoἈπφίᾳ…Ἀρχίππῳ…τῇ…ἐκκλησίᾳ1

The letter is predominantly addressed to Philemon. It could be misleading to suggest Paul is writing to Apphia, Archippus, and the church in Philemons house,on the same level as Philemon.

11PHM12zh5ctranslate-namesἈπφίᾳ, τῇ ἀδελφῇ1to Apphia our sister

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

12PHM12sq44translate-namesἈρχίππῳ1Archippus

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

13PHM12mnn5figs-metaphorτῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν1our fellow soldier

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://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

14PHM13r4nqχάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ

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

15PHM13e5z8figs-inclusiveἡμῶν1our

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

16PHM13lh8aguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατρὸς1Father

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

17PHM16t54lἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου1the fellowship of your faith
18PHM16pxw1ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ1may be effective for the knowledge of everything good
19PHM16n25eεἰς Χριστόν1in Christ
20PHM17shpvfigs-activepassiveτὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ1the inward parts of the saints are being refreshed by you

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you have encouraged believers” or “you have helped the believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

21PHM17aq4gfigs-metonymyτὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων1the inward parts of the saints

Here inward parts is a metonym for a persons emotions or inner being. Alternate translation: “the thoughts and feelings of God's people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

22PHM17m5ipσοῦ, ἀδελφέ1you, brother
23PHM18ayy10Connecting Statement:

Paul begins his plea and the reason for his letter.

24PHM18fd84πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν1all boldness in Christ

This could mean: (1) “all authority because of Christ” (2) “all courage because of Christ.”

25PHM19l9fhδιὰ τὴν ἀγάπην1because of love

This could mean: (1) “because I know that you love Gods people” (2) “because you love me” (3) “because I love you”

26PHM110lsr6translate-namesὈνήσιμον1General Information:

Onesimus is the name of a man. He was apparently Philemons slave and had stolen something and ran away. The name Onesimus means “profitable” or “useful.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

27PHM110mui3figs-metaphorὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1whom I have fathered in my chains

Here fathered is a metaphor that means Paul told Onesimus about Christ and Onesimus became a believer. 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://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

28PHM110nx1pfigs-metonymyἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1in my chains

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” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

29PHM112t1kpὃν ἀνέπεμψά σοι1I sent him back to you

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

30PHM112fdwnfigs-metonymyτὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα1my inward parts
31PHM113t4xlἵνα ὑπὲρ σοῦ μοι διακονῇ1so that he might serve me on behalf of you

Alternate translation: “so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me” or “so that he could help me while you are away”

32PHM113bb3tfigs-metonymyἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1in the chains

Prisoners were often bound in chains. Paul was in prison when he told Onesimus about the Messiah, and he was still in prison when he wrote this letter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

33PHM114ngg8ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον1but according to good will
34PHM116l3e4ὑπὲρ δοῦλον1better than a slave
35PHM116f8tzἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν1a beloved brother

Alternate translation: “a dear brother” or “a precious brother in Christ”

36PHM116scj1ἐν Κυρίῳ1in the Lord

Alternate translation: “because he is a brother in the Lord” or “because he is a fellow believer in the Lord”

37PHM117e1j2εἰ…με ἔχεις κοινωνόν1if you have me as a partner

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

38PHM119wb53ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί1I, Paul, write this with my own hand

Alternate translation: “I, Paul, write this myself.” Paul wrote this part of the letter with his own hand so that Philemon would know that the words were really from Paul. Paul really would pay him. This also implies that for most of the letter, Paul dictated what he said and it was written down by someone else.

39PHM119gn6cfigs-ironyἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι1in order not to say to you

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

40PHM119st7efigs-explicitκαὶ σεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις1you also owe me your own self

Alternate translation: “you owe me much because I saved your life by telling you about the Messiah” or “you owe me your own life because what I told you about the Messiah saved your life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

41PHM120xp0bfigs-explicitἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ1refresh my inward parts in Christ

How Paul wanted Philemon to refresh him can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “refresh my inward parts in Christ by accepting Onesimus kindly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

42PHM120j8lhfigs-metaphorἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα1refresh my inward parts

Here refresh is a metaphor for comfort or encourage. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

43PHM120kmppfigs-metonymyἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα1refresh my inward parts

Here “inward parts” is a metonym for a persons feelings, thoughts, or inner being. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

44PHM121xpn60Connecting Statement:

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

45PHM122bx62ἅμα1at the same time

Alternate translation: “While you are doing this”

46PHM122ctr4χαρισθήσομαι ὑμῖν1I will be given back to you

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

47PHM123x2d8translate-namesἘπαφρᾶς1Epaphras

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

48PHM124i5gctranslate-namesΜᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς1Mark…Aristarchus…Demas…Luke

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

49PHM124gf6eοἱ συνεργοί μου1my fellow workers

Alternate translation: “the men who work with me” or “who all work with me.”

50PHM125apvlfigs-synecdocheμετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν1be with your spirit

The words your spirit are a synecdoche and represent the people themselves. Paul is referring to Philemon and all who met in his house. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])