PAUL’S PRISON EPISTLES
STUDY GUIDE 4.1
Lesson 4: Paul and Philemon
Section 1: Background

OUTLINE FOR TAKING NOTES

Introduction

I. Background

A. People

  1. Philemon

  2. Onesimus

  3. Witnesses

B. Problem

C. Mediation

  1. Onesimus’ Petition

  2. Paul’s Agreement

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What makes Philemon different from Paul's other letters?

2. Who were Philemon and Onesimus? Where were they from? What is their relationship to one another? What problem had occured between them?
What does the name "Onesimus" mean?

3. Explain the condition of slaves in the Roman empire during the first century AD. What percentage of the people were slaves? What rights did they have? What kind of education? What kind of work did they do? What happened if they ran away from their master?

4. Who were Apphia, Archippus, and Epaphras?

5. Summarize Paul’s purpose in writing the letter to Philemon.


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. With which person in this letter do you most identify: Paul, Philemon or Onesimus? Why? Try to put yourself in the place of all three of these people and note what you can learn from them.


2. Have you ever faced a problem that required mediation? Why? Were you the offended party, or were you the one who needed forgiveness? What did you do? What were the results?


3. What can we learn from Paul's desire and efforts to help Philemon and Onesimus be reconciled? Do you need to be reconciled with someone? Do you know people who need some help in becoming reconciled?