6 votes
Accepted

Onesimus was a brother in the flesh of Philemon?

This short little letter, delivered by former runaway slave Onesimus to his master, Philemon, shows relational problems between the slave and his master, then how the slave began to relate to Paul (...
Anne's user avatar
  • 23.3k
5 votes

Why was Epaphras in prison?

Paul was not in chains, locked in a prison building. It was more like house-arrest. Even with guards, there was still some freedom of movement within the house. Back in those days, prisoners did not ...
Anne's user avatar
  • 23.3k
5 votes

Would it be correct to say that Bible's Philemon makes a case for abrogation/abolishing of slavery?( or is that a stretch?)

In Bible times, people sometimes sold themselves as slaves because they could not pay their debts or provide for their families. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs ...
Lesley's user avatar
  • 8,862
4 votes

Is Philemon necessary?

The great apostle, Paul, is often castigated by some, who believed (incorrectly) that he was in favor of perpetuating slavery, largely based on his comments in places like Eph 6:5 - Slaves, obey your ...
Dottard's user avatar
  • 103k
3 votes

Would it be correct to say that Bible's Philemon makes a case for abrogation/abolishing of slavery?( or is that a stretch?)

It is significant that slave traders, most often were "devout" Christians that used the book of Philemon as proof that they were within their Biblical rights to force slaves to return to ...
Dottard's user avatar
  • 103k
3 votes
Accepted

Why was Epaphras in prison?

Background: Paul may have written his letter to Philemon at the same time as he wrote to the Colossians. This would be during his house arrest in Rome. We know that Philemon, a believer in Colosse, ...
Lesley's user avatar
  • 8,862
2 votes
Accepted

Is Philemon necessary?

Necessary? No. But informative and edifying... yes. And 'yes' also to useful. Among the important teachings in this letter are: The idea that a slave is a beloved brother in Christ. The idea that a ...
Dan Fefferman's user avatar
1 vote

Onesimus was a brother in the flesh of Philemon?

The phrase, "according to the flesh" occurs often and is used in two different senses: "biologically speaking" such as Gal 4:23 - His son by the slave woman was born according to ...
Dottard's user avatar
  • 103k
1 vote

In whose home did the church meet in Philemon 1?

Every commentator that I examined (quite a number) agree that the home that serves as the meeting place for the local congregation is that of Philemon. The reason for this is rather simple: The ...
Dottard's user avatar
  • 103k
1 vote

In Philemon 1:12, is Paul ignoring Deuteronomy 23:16?

Paul and Onesimus had a new relationship, by Onesimus' [eternal] rebirth. Philemon and Onesimus also were now brothers, so are the sending and keeping in that context? Onesimus evidently chose, ...
Walter S's user avatar
  • 848
1 vote

In Philemon 11, is Paul making a pun from Onesimus' name?

Adding to Der Übermensch's answer is the irony of the situation. Onesimus was Philemon's servant and Philemon's house was a place where Christians met. Undoubtedly Onesimus would have been involved in ...
Revelation Lad's user avatar
1 vote

In Philemon 11, is Paul making a pun from Onesimus' name?

There is an allusion to the meaning of the name Onesimus’ (Greek Ὀνήσιμος), “profitable or useful,” in v. 11 by means of the synonym εὔχρηστος (“profitable”) and its antonym ἄχρηστος (“unprofitable”). ...
Der Übermensch's user avatar
1 vote

Did the author of Colossians know Paul’s Epistle to Philemon?

John Barclay says (Colossians and Philemon, page 24) a comparison of the greetings in Colossians 4:7-17 with the names listed in Philemon 23-24 reveals both a close matching and a wide variation in ...
Dick Harfield's user avatar
1 vote

Is Paul suggesting that Philemon release Onesimus from slavery?

In addition, Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus were likely aware of the Levitical law which said, “You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall live with ...
Linda Phillips's user avatar

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible