Philemon
Philemon front
Introduction to Philemon
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of Philemon
- Paul greets Philemon (1:1-3)
- Paul makes requests of Philemon about Onesimus (1:4-21)
- 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 “Paul’s Letter to Philemon” or “The Letter Paul wrote to Philemon.” (See: How to 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: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’ and Forms of You)
Philemon 1
Philemon 1:1
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 Philemon’s 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: Forms of You)
Παῦλος,
Your language may have a particular way of introducing the authors of a letter. Alternate translations: “I am Paul," or "Paul," (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)
δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
People who opposed Paul’s preaching had punished him by putting him in prison.
ὁ ἀδελφὸς
Here brother means a fellow Christian.
ἡμῶν
The word our here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)
καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν
alternate translation: “who, like us, works to spread the gospel”
Philemon 1:2
ἡμῶν
The word our here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)
Ἀπφίᾳ…Ἀρχίππῳ…τῇ…ἐκκλησίᾳ
The letter is predominantly addressed to Philemon. It could be misleading to suggest Paul is writing to Apphia, Archippus, and the church in Philemon’s house,on the same level as Philemon.
Ἀπφίᾳ, τῇ ἀδελφῇ
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: How to Translate Names)
Ἀρχίππῳ
This is the name of a man in the church with Philemon. (See: How to Translate Names)
τῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν
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: Metaphor)
Philemon 1:3
χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ
Alternate translation: “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” This is a blessing.
ἡμῶν
The word our here refers to Paul, those with him, and the reader. (See: INVALID translate/figs-inclusive)
Πατρὸς
This is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)
Philemon 1:6
ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου
This could mean: (1) "you share your faith with others" (2) "you share the same faith of those who believe in the Messiah" (3) "you share your possessions with others."
ἐνεργὴς γένηται ἐν ἐπιγνώσει παντὸς ἀγαθοῦ
This could mean: (1) "will result in you knowing every good thing" (2) "those you share your faith with will know every good thing"
εἰς Χριστόν
Alternate translation: “because of Christ” or "what the Messiah has done for us"
Philemon 1:7
τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you have encouraged believers” or “you have helped the believers” (See: Active or Passive)
τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων
Here inward parts is a metonym for a person’s emotions or inner being. Alternate translation: “the thoughts and feelings of God's people” (See: Metonymy)
σοῦ, ἀδελφέ
Paul called Philemon brother because they were both believers and he is emphasizing their spiritual friendship. Alternate translation: "you, dear brother” or “you, dear friend.”
Philemon 1:8
Paul begins his plea and the reason for his letter.
πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν
This could mean: (1) “all authority because of Christ” (2) “all courage because of Christ.”
Philemon 1:9
διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην
This could mean: (1) “because I know that you love God’s people” (2) “because you love me” (3) “because I love you”
Philemon 1:10
Ὀνήσιμον
Onesimus is the name of a man. He was apparently Philemon’s slave and had stolen something and ran away. The name Onesimus means “profitable” or “useful.” (See: How to Translate Names)
ὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς
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: Metaphor)
ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς
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: Metonymy)
Philemon 1:12
ὃν ἀνέπεμψά σοι
Paul was probably sending Onesimus with another believer who carried this letter.
τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα
Here * inward parts* is a metonym for a person’s emotions and expresses his deep feelings for Onesimus. Alternate translation: “very precious to me" or "very special to me" or "whom I dearly love" (See: Metonymy)
Philemon 1:13
ἵνα ὑπὲρ σοῦ μοι διακονῇ
Alternate translation: “so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me” or “so that he could help me while you are away”
ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς
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: Metonymy)
Philemon 1:14
ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον
Alternate translation: “but because you freely chose to do the right thing” or "because you wanted to do this"
Philemon 1:16
ὑπὲρ δοῦλον
Alternate translation: “more valuable than a slave” or "more dear than a slave"
ἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν
Alternate translation: “a dear brother” or “a precious brother in Christ”
ἐν Κυρίῳ
Alternate translation: “because he is a brother in the Lord” or “because he is a fellow believer in the Lord”
Philemon 1:17
εἰ…με ἔχεις κοινωνόν
“if you think of me as a fellow worker for Christ”
Philemon 1:19
ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί
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.
ἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι
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: Irony)
καὶ σεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις
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: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Philemon 1:20
ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ
How Paul wanted Philemon to refresh him can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “refresh my inward parts in Christ by accepting Onesimus kindly” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα
Here refresh is a metaphor for comfort or encourage. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: Metaphor)
ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα
Here “inward parts” is a metonym for a person’s feelings, thoughts, or inner being. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: Metonymy)
Philemon 1:21
Paul closes his letter and gives a blessing on Philemon and the believers that met for church in Philemon’s house.
Philemon 1:22
ἅμα
Alternate translation: “While you are doing this”
χαρισθήσομαι ὑμῖν
Alternate translation: “those who are keeping me in prison will set me free so that I can go to you.”
Philemon 1:23
Ἐπαφρᾶς
This is a fellow believer and prisoner with Paul. (See: How to Translate Names)
Philemon 1:24
Μᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς
These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
οἱ συνεργοί μου
Alternate translation: “the men who work with me” or “who all work with me.”
Philemon 1:25
μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν
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: Synecdoche)