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The book of Philemon

Author

Some scholars believe Paul wrote the letter, and other scholars believe a follower of Paul wrote the letter.

Place and Time of Writing

Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome.
60-62

Unique Characteristics

It is a Prison Epistle, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
The only Prison Epistle written to an individual.
Only one chapter long.
Since this letter is only one chapter long, whenever a verse is quoted a “1:” is not used in front of it.

Audience

Philemon, who was a slave owner.

Theme

Encouragement from an apostle to a Christian asking him to accept a now-Christian runaway slave.

More details about Philemon

Why did Paul write this letter?

While Paul was imprisoned he met a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had done something to anger his slave owner Philemon. We don’t know if he stole something or broke something or what happened to make Philemon (the slave owner) upset, but we do know that Onesimus fled and went to Rome. While there he was imprisoned and met Paul. Onesimus than became a Christian. Paul encouraged Onesimus to return home, but Onesimus didn’t want to go. Why? In those days if a slave acted maliciously the slave owner could have the slave beaten or killed. Therefore, Onesimus did not want to return to Philemon. Fortunately Paul knew Philemon, and so wrote this letter asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back without harming him.
Unfortunately, we do not know what happened to Onesimus.

Verses from the letter to Philemon

17, 18: “So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”

Outline

Verses
1-3: Greetings
4-7: Thankfulness for Philemon’s friendship and faith
8-21: Request to accept Onesimus back without harm
22-25: Closing remarks

Quiz with hover answers (Hover doesn't work for some smart phones and pads, so questions and answers here)

1. Philemon is one of the Prison Epistles.

2. When Paul told Onesimus to go back to Philemon, Onesimus obeyed.

Timeline up to the book of Philemon

Dates are approximate.

Year	Event
63 B.C.	Romans conquer Israel.
27 B.C.	Pax Romana began and lasted until A.D. 180.
4 B.C.	Jesus born.
	All dates after this are A.D.
27	Jesus baptized.
30	Jesus was crucified, buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Apostles travel to Jerusalem and choose Matthias to replace Judas as an Apostle. Day of Pentecost: Peter assumes leadership of Christianity.
30-50	Peter was leader of Christianity.
33	Jesus appeared to Paul and Paul became a Christian.
48-50	Paul's First Missionary Trip.
50	Council of Jerusalem; Paul became one of the main Christian leaders.
50-55	Paul's Second Missionary Trip.
51-53	Galatians, I & II Thessalonians, and I & II Corinthians written.
55-60	Paul's Third Missionary Trip.
55	Romans written.
60-62	Paul arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome.
62-63	(Not in Acts) Paul probably released from prison during this time.
63-65	(Not in Acts) Paul probably traveled. He may have gone to Spain.
63	I Timothy and Titus written.
64	Fire in Rome and Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero.
65	II Timothy written. (Not in Acts)Paul back in Rome; he and Peter arrested and martyred: Peter crucified upside down and Paul beheaded.
67	Gospel of Mark written.
70	Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans (it has not been rebuilt).
80	Gospels of Matthew and Luke written.
90	Gospel of John and book of Acts written.
95	Christians persecuted by Emperor Domitian; Apostle John exiled on island of Patmos where he wrote Revelation.
96	Emperor Domitian died; Apostle John probably moved to Ephesus.
100	Apostle John died; he was the last Apostle to die.
390's	New Testament canon "closed" at Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).
1200's	Chapters added to the New Testament.
1500's	Verses added to the New Testament.

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