In this letter, paul helps his friend philemon to reconcile with his. Moo begins his commentary on colossians by acknowledging the impact the letter has had on christian theology and practice. However, only 1st thessalonians, 1st and 2nd corinthians, galatians, romans, philippians, and philemon are. These commenatries open up the spiritual riches contained in pauls letters for non specialists. The book was written around 62 ad during paul first imprisonment in rome. The key personalities of philemon are paul, philemon, and onesimus. Colossians and philemon, doug moo cites raymond brown, who says that about 60 percent of. The letters to the colossians and to philemon pntc. That being said, most dates for an ephesian provenance would put colossians between 5257, a substantial amount of time 8 douglas j. One of the visitors converted under pauls teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1. I have heard of your faith in the lord jesus and your love toward all the saints nrsv. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The pauline letters appear in the bible not in chronological order but according to length of these letters.
It was written to philemon as a plea to request forgiveness for his runaway servant onesimus, who was a new believer in jesus christ. The slave apparently had met paul in prison, was converted, and. The letters to the colossians and to philemon dts voice. Its another outstanding addition to the pillar nt commentary series. David guzik commentary on pauls letter to philemon, which is a plea to his friend. While the social dimension of the gospel should not replace the call to a. Sep 12, 2017 this volume presents spiritual commentaries on three of pauls letters. An introduction to the pauline letters the ntslibrary. Watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Aug 01, 2008 exhibiting the same brilliant exegesis and sound practical insight found in his previous works, noted commentator douglas j.
Nov 01, 2012 the inaugural volume in the handbooks for new testament exegesis series, interpreting the pauline letters begins by exploring the components of narrativesetting, characterization, and plotand then develops the foremost theological themes in each of the books traditionally ascribed to paul. It is pauls shortest new testament letter, comprising only 335 greek words. He has brought together some of the best and most widely used resources relating to the letters of colossians and philemon and thoroughly surveyed the depths of the greek text behind both. It has been suggested that the slave was released to help paul, that in his later years he might have become bishop of ephesus, and that his ministry or service was the collection of the pauline corpus. He concludes that the subject matter and the likelihood of an amanuensis possibly timothy solves the language problem. Offering to pay any of onesimus debts, paul removes any last excuse philemon might have used to reject pauls request. Romans, i corinthians, ii corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, colossians, i thessalonians, ii thessalonians. This introduction to the pauline letters will take its. Philemon paul and the pauline letters libguides at st. The letter of philemon speaks to that problem, because in the nature of the case segregation is slavery with a different name.
This fails to stand up to examination as philemon wouldnt send a useless slave to attend to paul. The epistle of paul to philemon, known simply as philemon, is one of the books of the christian new testament. He added little to the discussion that i could not find in other commentaries. A certain archippus is referred to in both philemon 2, colossians 4. The letters to philemon, the colossians, and the ephesians. Philemon was a wealthy christian, possibly a bishop of the house church that met in his home philemon 1. Biblical literature the letter of paul to philemon britannica. Jerome in his commentary on the epistle, mentions the. Gordon fee in his book how to read the bible for all its worth lays out the form of ancient letters as follows. The letters to the colossians and to philemon by douglas j. Nov 28, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of philemon, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It is directed to philemon, which means kisses or one that is affectionate, in behalf of onesimus, which means profitable or usefulness.
He has brought together some of the best and most widely used resources relating to the letters of colossians and philemon and thoroughly surveyed the. This introduction to the pauline letters will take its place. The book of philemon is an extraordinary letter sent from the apostle paul to a dear friend in colossi. Paul wants philemon to do what he is about to ask, not out of compulsion, but with the love of god in christ. Callahan argues that the earliest commentators on this work the homily of origen and the antimarcion preface are silent about. Biblical literature the pauline letters britannica. The method sets the task of exegesis within the literary context of firstcentury letters as well as. Despite its conciseness, it is one of his most fascinating and personal writings. Biblical literature biblical literature the pauline letters. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon, a leader in the colossian church. Oct 25, 2015 harris has provided the pastor, teacher, and student with a necessary tool for the task of exegesis and interpretation.
Just as his pillar volume on james and his nicnt volume on romans both rank, in my estimation, as the best available intermediatelevel commentaries on those books, now he produced a comparable volume on colossians and philemon. Dunn, new internation greek testament commentary nigtc, eerdmans, 1996, 405 pp. Philemon was the master of onesimus, a runaway slave. On the other hand, i am currently taking a colossians exegesis class, and i found this volume of little help for the more intricate details of the greek text. Exegesis of philemon presented at the chicago conference at st. Exhibiting the same brilliant exegesis and sound practical insight found in his previous works, noted commentator douglas j.
Paul called out philemon in front of his entire congregation3 to receive him4 as you. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar. For each letter there is an introduction,the text according to the new american bible with as insightful exposition,and reflections on the letters significance for christian life today. An introduction to the pauline letters foreword this booklet was written for the fourth of the annual courses on scripture sponsored by the union of monastic superiors. The letters to the colossians and to philemon the pillar new. Harris has provided the pastor, teacher, and student with a necessary tool for the task of exegesis and interpretation. Philemon resources commentaries, sermons, illustrations, devotionals see disclaimer. Book abbreviation romans rom 1 corinthians 1 cor 2 corinthians 2 cor.
Philemon and apphia possibly husband and wife, members of the colossian christian church. Philemon, the master of onesimus, was the principal, to whom the letter is inscribed, the. The letters to the colossians and to philemon pillar new. In this light, the next section of pauls letter answers philemons unspoken but rather. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. This volume presents spiritual commentaries on three of pauls letters. Its contribution to our knowledge of pauls character and gifts and.
It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor. The power of the gospel in winning a runaway thief and slave and in. Moo in this volume not only explains accurately the meaning of the letters to the colossians and to philemon but also applies that meaning powerfully to twentyfirstcentury readers. So in ad 60 or 61 from a prison cell in rome, paul wrote a. Romans, i corinthians, ii corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, colossians, i thessalonians, ii thessalonians, i timothy, ii timothy, titus, and philemon. Thus, romans, the longest of the letters with 7,111 words and 1,687 total verses, comes first. Dec 19, 2018 j sidlow baxter explore the bible even in the best art galleries there is always a space for choice miniatures. Mar 01, 20 this book is divided into two main parts the undisputed letters and the disputed letters and postpauline writings. Philemon too is an exceptional and unique letter, conveying the reconciling implications of the gospel in the social setting of romanera slavery. However, the connection between the two epistles can be used by those on both sides of the pauline vs. Paul, a prisoner of christ jesus, and timothy our brother, to philemon our. Dunn examines colossians and philemon within the context of the jewish and hellenistic cultures in the first century and discusses the place of colossians and philemon in the relationship between the pauline mission and the early churches that received these letters. It is a prison letter, coauthored by paul the apostle with timothy, to philemon. The pauline epistles are romans, 1 corinthians, 2 corinthians, galatians, ephesians, philippians, colossians, 1 thessalonians, 2 thessalonians, 1 timothy, 2 timothy, titus, and philemon.
The letter of paul to philemon, brief new testament letter written by paul the. Appeal for forgiveness click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission another overview chart philemon. Pauls letter to philemon is the eighteenth book in the new testament. This personal note from paul to philemon is such a graceful little masterpiece of fine courtesy, exquisite tact, and even playfulness of wit, and withal it has such distinct spiritual values, that one can only wonder sadly at those who have begrudged it the little niche which. Study the bible online using commentary on philemon 1 and more. In this letter, paul intercedes with philemon who was an outstanding. It is the shortest of pauls extant letters, consisting of only 335 words in the greek text. Paul, as an apostle, could have commanded philemon to forgive onesimus but instead was pleading with him. Though onesimus had become dear to him and paul wanted onesimus to stay with him in rome, paul sent him back to philemon with a letter urging philemon to forgive onesimus and treat him as a fellow brother in christ. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. Matthews, 1998, hendrickson publishers the divine outline of history, tapes on philemon, r.
Paul had already been planning to send a letter to the colossian church by the hand of tychicus. Philemon, with 335 words and only 25 verses, appears last in the bible. In the bible book that bears philemon s name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. Doug moos the letters to the colossians and to philemon is hot off the press, and i enjoyed spending some time surveying it this morning. Paul was attempting to use his letter not only to help master and slave be reconciled but also to persuade philemon to release his slave.
Philemon is a picture of the gospel of jesus christ at work in a corrupt and unjust world. Philemon 1 commentary philemons relationship to onesimus. Philemon is not exempt from this, and many scholars argue who onesimus was and why he came to paul. Moo in this new volume not only explains accurately the meaning of the letters to the colossians and to philemon but also applies that meaning powerfully to. This book is divided into two main parts the undisputed letters and the disputed letters and postpauline writings.
Word meanings in the new testament, ralph earle, 1984, baker book house manners and customs in the bible, victor h. Biblical literature the letter of paul to philemon. Jeals decision to write this commentary on pauls short letter to phi lemon using each sri texture. In the new testament canon of 27 books, 21 are called letters, and even the revelation to john starts and ends in letter form. The letter of paul to philemon epistle by saint paul britannica. Best commentaries and books on philemon logos bible software. He suggests that this can be done only after an indepth study of. The letters to the colossians and to philemon download. The primary purpose of this letter, the most personal of all paul s letters, was to ask philemon to forgive onesimus and accept him back as a beloved brother and fellow servant in the gospel see vv. The inaugural volume in the handbooks for new testament exegesis series, interpreting the pauline letters begins by exploring the components of narrativesetting, characterization, and plotand then develops the foremost theological themes in each of the books traditionally ascribed to paul. Of the letters paul wrote to churches or individuals, in 9 of them he called himself an apostle in the opening. In this volume in the celebrated new international greek testament commentary series, james d. Paul starts the letter with the customary introduction that is frequently seen in grecoroman letters.
These commenatries open up the spiritual riches contained in pauls letters for non. The book of philemon is a prison epistle letter written while in prison, which paul wrote circa 61 a. Moo critically interacts with arguments against pauline authorship, especially relating to language and theology. Dts voice offers biblicallycentered articles, stories, podcasts.
The first book discussed in the commentary is philemon. Biblical literature biblical literature the letter of paul to philemon. Click download or read online button to get the letters to the colossians and to philemon book now. Pauline epistles are letters to the early churches from the apostle paul explaining the meaning of jesus christ coming into the world and the implications for the church throughout history. If you only own one commentary on colossians, this would be a good one to have. This is the only place in the new testament where philemon is mentioned by name, but we do know that he was a beloved friend to paul. In addition other topics including slavery and issues specifically relating to colossians are developed e. The pauline epistles are the letters written by the apostle paul that are included in the canon of scripture. This is a story that includes a more than likely runaway slave, onesimus, who has come to know paul in rome, was converted by paul to the christian faith by paul, and rendered voluntary service to paul in his roman imprisonment. A free bible version and commentary on pauls letter to philemon in easyenglish. In the process of this, paul asks philemon to charge this to his own account.
It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed the letter to an. This letter reveals the love and transformation of a slave and. Buy the letters to the colossians and to philemon pntc pillar new testament commentary by douglas j. This letter is now generally regarded as one of the undisputed works of paul.
Book of philemon overview insight for living ministries. One view claims that he was a commissioned servant, sent by philemon to aid paul and he simply overstayed his commission. I am grateful to sister zoe for suggesting this work, and to the monks and nuns who have constituted such a stimulating, faithful and appreciative group of. Yet for loves sake i rather beseech you, being such a one as paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of jesus christ. Philemon 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Colossians and philemon baker exegetical commentary on. Moo, the letters to the colossians and to philemon. The epistle to philemon has been generally recognized by the church as worthy of a valued place in the new testament canon. One of the visitors converted under paul s teaching was a man named philemon, a slaveowner from the nearby city of colossae philemon 1.
Colossians and philemon baker exegetical commentary on the. Pauls friendship with philemon is shown by something significantly missing in his greeting. In the bible book that bears philemons name, paul addressed his beloved brother as a fellow worker, a title given to those who served for a time alongside paul. This week, we look at paul s shortest and most challenging letters. Among its 27 books are selected recollections of the life and acts and sayings of.
Dunn, author of numerous wellreceived works on the historical origin and theological interpretation of the new testament, provides detailed expositions of the text of pauls letters to the colossians and to philemon. Then he states, our concern will be to discern what this portion of gods word has to say to christians today p. Dunn, author of numerous wellreceived works on the historical origin and theological interpretation of the new testament, provides detailed expositions of the text of paul s letters to the colossians and to philemon. Colossians is an extraordinary gem among the letters of paul and requires exegetical skill to discern the full extent of its message within its unique setting. The letters to the colossians and to philemon pntc pillar.
As the shortest of pauls letters 335 words, it is situated at the end of the pauline corpus, which has been traditionally arranged not by date but from the longest to the shortest romans through philemon. Moo, in this new volume, not only explains accurately the meaning of the letters to the colossians and to philemon but also applies that meaning powerfully to. So paul wrote a letter and told onesimus to take it to philemon. Pauline authorship is defended for all the letters see esp. Before reading this book, i didnt realize that the authorship of so many of pauls thirteen letters was disputed. Moo in this new volume not only explains accurately the meaning of the letters to the colossians and to philemon but also applies that meaning powerfully to twentyfirstcentury readers. Biblical commentary bible study philemon 121 exegesis.
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