Greetings From Prison

Philemon 1–3 “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Colossians 4:7–9 “Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.”

around 60 ad Ephesians and Colossians

Shortest Letter of Paul

Directly to Philemon

vs. 1-3 Greeting

vs. 4-7 Gratitude for Philemon

vs. 8-21 Contend for forgiveness

vs. 22-25 Conclusion

I. How does the Apostle Paul refer to himself through out the letter

Answer: A Prisoner

II. Where in the world is the Apostle Paul at the time he wrote Philemon?

Answer: Rome

III. What task was the Apostle Paul trying to accomplish at the time.

Answer: Present the Gospel to Nero, as well as convince him that Christianity is not a threat to the peace of Rome

IV. Who was the Apostle Paul writing on behalf of?

Answer: a slave named Onesimus

V. Why was this letter/ situation potentially detrimental to the Apostle Paul’s mission?

Answer: Duly aligning with a run away slave can come with legal ramifications and prevent Paul from being credible.