PHM front intro sz2w 0 # Introduction to Philemon<br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>#### Outline of the Book of Philemon<br><br>1. Paul greets Philemon (1:1-3)<br>1. Paul makes requests of Philemon about Onesimus (1:4-21)<br>1. 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]])<br>
PHM 01 01 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 01 01 niq3 figs-exclusive 0 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 01 01 cgs4 0 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 01 01 sv3p 0 brother Here this means a fellow Christian.
PHM 01 01 r3l9 figs-exclusive 0 our dear friend 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 01 01 ww3l 0 and fellow worker "who, like us, works to spread the gospel"
PHM 01 02 e8su figs-exclusive 0 our sister ... our fellow soldier 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 01 02 zh5c translate-names 0 Apphia our sister Here "sister" means she was a believer, and not a relative. Alternate translation: "Apphia our fellow believer" or "Apphia our spiritual sister" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 01 02 sq44 translate-names 0 Archippus This is the name of a man in the church with Philemon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 01 02 mnn5 figs-metaphor 0 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 01 03 r4nq 0 May grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ "May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." This is a blessing.
PHM 01 03 e5z8 figs-inclusive 0 God our Father The word "our" here refers to Paul, those with him, and the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]])
PHM 01 03 lh8a guidelines-sonofgodprinciples 0 our Father This is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
PHM 01 04 kh5l figs-inclusive 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-inclusive]])
PHM 01 06 t54l 0 that the fellowship of your faith "that your working together with us"
PHM 01 06 pxw1 0 be effective for the knowledge of everything good "result in knowing what is good"
PHM 01 06 n25e 0 in Christ "because of Christ"
PHM 01 07 aq4g figs-metonymy 0 the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you Here "hearts" is a metonym for a person's emotions or inner being. 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-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
PHM 01 07 m5ip 0 you, brother "you, dear brother" or "you, dear friend." Paul called Philemon "brother" because they were both believers and he emphasizing their friendship.
PHM 01 08 fd84 0 all the boldness in Christ Possible meanings are 1) "authority because of Christ" or 2) "courage because of Christ." Alternate translation: "courage because Christ has given me authority"
PHM 01 09 l9fh 0 yet 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 01 10 lsr6 0 General Information: Onesimus is the name of a man. He was apparently Philemon's slave and had stolen something and ran away.
PHM 01 10 m6fw figs-metaphor 0 my child Onesimus "my son 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 01 10 dj9h translate-names 0 Onesimus The name "Onesimus" means "profitable" or "useful." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 01 10 mui3 figs-metaphor 0 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 01 10 nx1p figs-metonymy 0 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 ... while I am in prison" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 01 12 t1kp 0 I have sent him back to you Paul was probably sending Onesimus with another believer who carried this letter.
PHM 01 12 h9qv figs-metonymy 0 who is my very heart Here "heart" is a metonym for a person's emotions. The phrase "who is my very heart" is a metaphor for loving someone. Paul was saying this about Onesimus. Alternate translation: "whom I love dearly" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
PHM 01 13 t4xl 0 so he could serve me for you "so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me" or "so that he could help me in your place"
PHM 01 13 bb3t figs-metonymy 0 while I am in 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" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
PHM 01 13 iwa8 figs-explicit 0 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 01 14 g9wp figs-doublenegatives 0 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 01 14 jxi7 0 I did not want your good deed to be from necessity but from good will "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 01 14 ngg8 0 but from good will "but because you freely chose to do the right thing"
PHM 01 15 q1dr figs-activepassive 0 Perhaps for this he was separated from you for a time, so that This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Perhaps the reason God took Onesimus away from you for a time was so that" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
PHM 01 15 fp5v 0 for a time "during this time"
PHM 01 16 l3e4 0 better than a slave "more valuable than a slave"
PHM 01 16 f8tz 0 a beloved brother "a dear brother" or "a precious brother in Christ"
PHM 01 16 f38v 0 much more so to you "he means even more to you"
PHM 01 16 yub9 figs-metaphor 0 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 01 16 scj1 0 in the Lord "as a brother in the Lord" or "because he belongs to the Lord"
PHM 01 17 e1j2 0 if you have me as a partner "if you think of me as a fellow worker for Christ"
PHM 01 18 u5m1 0 charge that to me "say that I am the one who owes you"
PHM 01 19 wb53 0 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 01 19 gn6c figs-irony 0 not to mention "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 01 19 st7e figs-explicit 0 you owe me your own self "you 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 01 20 j8lh figs-metaphor 0 refresh my heart in Christ Here "refresh" is a metaphor for comfort or encourage. Here "heart" is a metonym for a person's feelings, thoughts, or inner being. How Paul wanted Philemon refresh his heart can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "encourage me in Christ" or "comfort me in Christ" or "refresh my heart in Christ by accepting Onesimus kindly" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
PHM 01 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 01 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 01 21 g6fx 0 Confident about your obedience "Because I am sure that you will do what I ask"
PHM 01 22 bx62 0 At the same time "Also"
PHM 01 22 akw1 0 prepare a guest room for me "make a room in your house ready for me." Paul asked Philemon to do this for him.
PHM 01 22 ctr4 0 I will be given back to you "those who are keeping me in prison will set me free so that I can go to you."
PHM 01 23 x2d8 translate-names 0 Epaphras This is a fellow believer and prisoner with Paul. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 01 23 khx1 0 my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus "who is in prison with me because he serves Christ Jesus"
PHM 01 24 si6p 0 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers "Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers, also greet you"
PHM 01 24 i5gc translate-names 0 Mark ... Aristarchus ... Demas ... Luke These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
PHM 01 24 gf6e 0 my fellow workers "the men who work with me" or "who all work with me."
PHM 01 25 gq7p figs-you 0 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit The word "your" here refers to Philemon and all who met in his house. The words "your spirit" are a synecdoche and represent the people themselves. Alternate translation: "May our Lord Jesus Christ be kind to you" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
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