PHM front intro sz2w 0 # Introduction to Philemon<br><br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the Book of Philemon<br><br>1. Paul greets Philemon (1:1-3)<br>2. Paul makes requests of Philemon about Onesimus (1:4-21)<br>3. Conclusion (1:22-25)<br><br>### Who wrote the Book of Philemon?<br><br>Paul wrote Philemon. Paul was from the city of Tarsus. He had been known as Saul in his early life. Before becoming a Christian, Paul was a Pharisee. He persecuted Christians. After he became a Christian, he traveled several times throughout the Roman Empire telling people about Jesus.<br><br>Paul was in a prison when he wrote this letter.<br><br>### What is the Book of Philemon about?<br><br>Paul wrote this letter to a man named Philemon. Philemon was a Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. He owned a slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and possibly stole something from him as well. Onesimus went to Rome and visited Paul in prison.<br><br>Paul told Philemon that he was sending Onesimus back to him. Philemon had the right to execute Onesimus according to Roman law. But Paul said that Philemon should accept Onesimus back as a Christian brother. He even suggested that Philemon should allow Onesimus to come back to Paul and help him in prison.<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “Philemon.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “Paul’s Letter to Philemon” or “The Letter Paul wrote to Philemon.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### Does this letter approve of the practice of slavery?<br><br>Paul sent Onesimus back to his former master. But that did not mean Paul thought slavery was an acceptable practice. Instead, Paul was more concerned with people serving God in whatever situation they were in.<br><br>### What does Paul mean by the expression “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” etc.?<br><br>Paul meant to express the idea of a very close union with Christ and the believers. See the introduction to the Book of Romans for more details about this kind of expression.<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### Singular and plural “you”<br><br>In this book, the word “I” refers to Paul. The word “you” is almost always singular and refers to Philemon. The two exceptions to this are 1:22 and 1:25. There “you” refers to Philemon and the believers that met at his house. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
PHM 1 1 sg4f figs-you 0 General Information: Three times Paul identifies himself as the author of this letter. Evidently Timothy was with him and probably wrote the words down as Paul said them. Paul greets others who meet for church at Philemon’s house. All instances of “I,” “me,” and “my” refer to Paul. Philemon is the main person to whom this letter is written. All instances of “you” and “your” refer to him and are singular unless otherwise noted. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
PHM 1 1 niq3 figs-exclusive Παῦλος, δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ Τιμόθεος, ὁ ἀδελφὸς; Φιλήμονι 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and the brother Timothy to Philemon Your language may have a particular way of introducing the authors of a letter. Alternate translation: “I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, are writing this letter to Philemon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
PHM 1 1 cgs4 δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ 1 a prisoner of Christ Jesus “a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.” People who opposed Paul’s preaching had punished him by putting him into prison.
PHM 1 1 r3l9 figs-exclusive ἡμῶν 1 our The word **our** here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
PHM 1 1 ww3l καὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν 1 and our fellow worker “who, like us, works to spread the gospel”
PHM 1 2 e8su figs-exclusive ἡμῶν 1 our The word **our** here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
PHM 1 2 zh5c translate-names Ἀπφίᾳ, τῇ ἀδελφῇ 1 to Apphia our sister Here, **sister** means she was a believer, and not a relative. Alternate translation: “to Apphia our fellow believer” or “to Apphia our spiritual sister” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 1 2 sq44 translate-names Ἀρχίππῳ 1 Archippus This is the name of a man in the church with Philemon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 1 2 mnn5 figs-metaphor τῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν 1 our fellow soldier Paul speaks here of Archippus as if they were both soldiers in an army. He means that Archippus works hard, as Paul himself works hard, to spread the gospel. Alternate translation: “our fellow spiritual warrior” or “who also fights the spiritual battle with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 1 3 r4nq χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” This is a blessing.
PHM 1 3 e5z8 figs-exclusive ἡμῶν 1 our The word **our** here refers to Paul, those with him, and the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
PHM 1 3 lh8a guidelines-sonofgodprinciples Πατρὸς 1 Father This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
PHM 1 4 kh5l figs-exclusive 0 General Information: The word “us” is plural and refers to Paul, those with him, and all Christians, including the readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
PHM 1 7 shpv figs-activepassive τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ 1 the inward parts of the saints are being refreshed by you This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you have encouraged believers” or “you have helped the believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
PHM 1 7 aq4g figs-metonymy τὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων 1 the inward parts of the saints Here, ****inward parts**** is a metonym for a person’s emotions or inner being. Alternate translation: “the thoughts and feelings of the saints” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 1 7 m5ip σοῦ, ἀδελφέ 1 you, brother “you, dear brother” or “you, dear friend.” Paul called Philemon **brother** because they were both believers and he emphasizing their friendship.
PHM 1 8 fd84 πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν 1 all boldness in Christ Possible meanings are (1) “all authority because of Christ” or (2) “all courage because of Christ.” Alternate translation: “all courage because Christ has given me authority”
PHM 1 9 l9fh διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην 1 because of love Possible meanings: (1) “because I know that you love God’s people” (2) “because you love me” or (3) “because I love you”
PHM 1 10 m6fw figs-metaphor τοῦ ἐμοῦ τέκνου…Ὀνήσιμον 1 my child Onesimus Paul speaks of the way he is friends with **Onesimus** as if it were the way a father and his son love each other. Onesimus was not Paul’s actual son, but he received spiritual life when Paul taught him about Jesus, and Paul loved him. Alternate translation: “my spiritual son Onesimus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 1 10 dj9h translate-names Ὀνήσιμον 1 Onesimus The name **Onesimus** means “profitable” or “useful.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 1 10 mui3 figs-metaphor ὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς 1 whom I have fathered in my chains Here, **fathered** is a metaphor that means Paul converted Onesimus to Christ. Alternate translation: “who became my spiritual son when I taught him about Christ and he received new life while I was in my chains” or “who became like a son to me while I was in my chains” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 1 10 nx1p figs-metonymy ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς 1 in my chains Prisoners were often bound in **chains**. Paul was in prison when he taught Onesimus and was still in prison when he wrote this letter. Alternate translation: “while I was in prison” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 1 12 t1kp ὃν ἀνέπεμψά σοι 1 I sent him back to you Paul was probably sending Onesimus with another believer who carried this letter.
PHM 1 12 h9qv figs-metaphor τοῦτ’ ἔστιν τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα 1 he who is my inward parts The phrase **who is my inward parts** is a metaphor for deep feelings about someone. Paul was saying this about Onesimus. Alternate translation: “whom I love dearly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 1 12 fdwn figs-metonymy τὰ ἐμὰ σπλάγχνα 1 my inward parts Here, ** inward parts** is a metonym for a person’s emotions.Alternate translation: “good thoughts and feelings to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 1 13 t4xl ἵνα ὑπὲρ σοῦ μοι διακονῇ 1 so that he might serve me on behalf of you “so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me” or “so that he could help me in your place”
PHM 1 13 bb3t figs-metonymy ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς 1 in the chains Prisoners were often bound in **chains**. Paul was in prison when he taught Onesimus and was still in prison when he wrote this letter. Alternate translation: “while I am in prison because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 1 13 iwa8 figs-explicit τοῦ εὐαγγελίου 1 for the sake of the gospel Paul was in prison because he preached **the gospel** publicly. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “because I preach the gospel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
PHM 1 14 g9wp figs-doublenegatives χωρὶς δὲ τῆς σῆς γνώμης, οὐδὲν ἠθέλησα ποιῆσαι 1 But I did not want to do anything without your consent Paul states a double negative to mean the opposite. Alternate translation: “But I wanted to keep him with me only if you approved” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
PHM 1 14 jxi7 ἵνα μὴ ὡς κατὰ ἀνάγκην τὸ ἀγαθόν σου ᾖ, ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον 1 so that your good deed might not be as according to compulsion but according to good will “for I did not want you to do this good deed because I commanded you to do it, but because you wanted to do it”
PHM 1 14 ngg8 ἀλλὰ κατὰ ἑκούσιον 1 but according to good will “but because you freely chose to do the right thing”
PHM 1 15 q1dr figs-activepassive τάχα γὰρ διὰ τοῦτο, ἐχωρίσθη πρὸς ὥραν, ἵνα 1 For perhaps for this reason he was separated from you for an hour, so that This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “For perhaps the reason God took Onesimus away from you for a time was so that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
PHM 1 15 fp5v πρὸς ὥραν 1 for an hour “for this short time”
PHM 1 16 yub9 figs-metaphor καὶ ἐν σαρκὶ 1 in both the flesh “both as a man.” Paul is referring to Onesimus’ being a trustworthy servant. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 1 16 scj1 ἐν Κυρίῳ 1 in the Lord “as a brother in the Lord” or “because he belongs to the Lord”
PHM 1 19 wb53 ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί 1 I, Paul, write this with my own hand “I, Paul, write this myself.” Paul wrote this part with his **own hand** so that Philemon would know that the words were really from Paul. Paul really would pay him.
PHM 1 19 gn6c figs-irony ἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι 1 in order not to say to you “I do not need to remind you” or “You already know.” Paul says he does not need to tell Philemon this, but then continues to tell him anyway. This emphasizes the truth of what Paul is telling him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
PHM 1 19 st7e figs-explicit καὶ σεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις 1 you also owe me your own self “you even owe me your own life.” Paul was implying that Philemon should not say that Onesimus or Paul owed him anything because Philemon owed Paul even more. The reason Philemon owed Paul his life can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “you owe me much because I saved your life” or “you owe me your own life because what I told you saved your life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
PHM 1 20 xp0b figs-explicit ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ 1 refresh my inward parts in Christ How Paul wanted Philemon refresh him can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “refresh my inward parts in Christ by accepting Onesimus kindly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
PHM 1 20 j8lh figs-metaphor ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα 1 refresh my inward parts Here, **refresh** is a metaphor for comfort or encourage. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 1 20 kmpp figs-metonymy ἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα 1 refresh my inward parts Here “inward parts” is a metonym for a person’s feelings, thoughts, or inner being. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 1 21 am1e figs-you 0 General Information: Here the words “your” and “you” are plural and refer to Philemon and the believers that met at his house. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
PHM 1 21 xpn6 0 Connecting Statement: Paul closes his letter and gives a blessing on Philemon and the believers that met for church in Philemon’s house.
PHM 1 21 g6fx πεποιθὼς τῇ ὑπακοῇ σου 1 Having confidence in your obedience “Because I am sure that you will do what I ask”
PHM 1 22 bx62 ἅμα 1 at the same time “while you are doing this”
PHM 1 22 akw1 καὶ ἑτοίμαζέ μοι ξενίαν 1 also prepare a guest room for me “also make a room in your house ready for me.” Paul asked Philemon to do this for him.
PHM 1 24 si6p Μᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς, οἱ συνεργοί μου 1 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers “and Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers, also greet you”
PHM 1 25 gq7p figs-you τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν 1 your spirit The word **your** here refers to Philemon and all who met in his house. Alternate translation: “your spirits” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
PHM 1 25 apvl figs-synecdoche μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν 1 be with your spirit The words **your spirit** are a synecdoche and represent the people themselves. Alternate translation: “be kind to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
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