The next book after Titus in the New Testament is the Epistle to Philemon, commonly referred to as Philemon. This letter is attributed to the Apostle Paul. Let’s move forward with the summary of the Book of Philemon.
This book of Philemon summary by chapter offers a quick glance through the book in the Bible.
(Read Also: The book of Titus summary by chapter)
Table of Contents
The Book of Philemon Summary By Chapter
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In this post, we are going to go through the Book of Philemon, which is a short yet powerful letter written by the Apostle Paul to a beloved brother in Christ, Philemon.
Philemon was a prominent Christian and probably a member of the church at Colossae. He owned a slave named Onesimus, who had run away from his master, Philemon, and somehow had come in contact with Paul while Paul was in prison. By the reason of Onesimus’ encounter with Paul, he became a christian.
Intercession for a Runaway Slave
Paul starts the letter with greetings and thanks to God for Philemon’s love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. He mentions that he has been encouraged by the love that Philemon has shown, as it has refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Paul then addresses the primary reason for the letter: to intercede on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who has come to faith in Christ. Paul refers to Onesimus as his son, whom he has begotten while in chains, and expresses how useful Onesimus has been to him.
- Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ
- Appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul himself
- Offers to repay any debt that Onesimus owes
- He expresses confidence that Philemon will do even more than what he asks and mentions his hope to visit him soon
The letter concludes with final greetings and a prayer for grace.
Thank you for walking through the summary of the Book of Philemon with me. Even in its brevity, this letter speaks volumes about love, forgiveness, and the transformation that comes through faith in Christ. May our hearts be tender and our hands be open to receive and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
(Read Also: The book of Hebrews summary by chapter)
I encourage you to read through the entire book of Philemon yourself using your most preferred version of the Bible.
The Full Text
Below is the full text of KJV version of the book of Philemon or you can read it by clicking here.
The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
This is the complete text of the Book of Philemon in the King James Version of the Bible.
Grace be with your spirit.
