Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study

The Book of Philemon
 

Timeline of the Bible

God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood, but saves  Noah and his family.---
 God chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. --- David is Israel's greatest king.--- Israel divides into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.--- The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and Judah.---   The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia. --- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.--- Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans take control of Israel.--- Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.--- Christianity spreads. --- Paul write letters to Christians in other places.This book of the Bible happens during this time  In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed again.



Philemon 1

Paul is in prison in Rome.
Paul writes to Philemon, who lives in Colassae.
Paul wants Philemon to forgive his slave, Onesimus.

 

 The Bible Projects's summary of the Book of Philemon.


Philemon 1

This letter is from Paul and Timothy to Philemon, a Christian in the city of Colossae.  Paul was in prison in Rome because he preached about Jesus Christ. His helper, Timothy, was in Rome, too.
[1] Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

This letter is also for Apphia, Archippus, and the other people in the church in Philemon's house.

[2] And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Paul says, "I send grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[3] Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank God for you and always pray for you. I have heard of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and God's people. You talk about your faith. You tell others that every good thing in you is from Christ Jesus.

[4] I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
[5] Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
[6] That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

We are very happy about your love. You make God's people happy.

[7] For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.


Paul discusses the situation about Onesimus.

Christ gives me the courage to ask you something. I am an old man and a prisoner for Jesus Christ. I am asking you to do something for love.
[8] Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
[9] Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.


I am asking about your slave, Onesimus, whom I have gotten to know. I have led him to become a Christian. In the past, he wasn't too important to you. But now, he is important to you and me.

[10] I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
[11] Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

I am sending him back to you. Please welcome him. However, I would have liked for him to stay in Rome with me. He could have helped me spread the gospel the way you do in Colossae.

[12] Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
[13] Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

I wouldn't keep him here without your permission. It is best if you send him back to me because you want to, not because you're forced.

[14] But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.


Maybe he left you for a good reason. He left as a slave, but now he can come back to you as a brother in the Lord forever. He will be loved by you and by me.

[15] For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
[16] Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Think of Onesimus the same way you think of me.

[17] If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

If he owes anybody money or had done anything wrong to you, I will pay for it.

[18] If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

I am writing this promise myself. I will repay anything he owes.  But, don't forget that you owe me your very life.

[19] I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

Do this for me, and it will make me very happy.

[20] Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

I am confident you will do what I say and more.

[21] Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

Get a room ready for me. I know your prayers will be answered, and I will be able to come back to you in Colossae.

[22] But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Epaphras is here in prison with me for being a follower of Jesus Christ. He says hello to you.

[23] There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, are Lucas are here working with me, too.

[24] Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

I pray for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with your spirit. Amen.

[25] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.



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