Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study both Paul’s epistle to Philemon.
This little letter to Philemon is a marvelous example of the strongest force in the universe to affect control over someone — grace. It takes up one of the most difficult problems we ever encounter, that of resolving quarrels between family members. We can ignore something a stranger does to hurt us, but it is very hard to forgive a member of our own family or someone close to us. – Ray Stedman
Part of the series: Philemon (coming)
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![]() Philemon Study Text New American Standard Version |
![]() Listen to the MP3 (coming) |
![]() from Blue Letter Bible |
![]() English Standard Version |
![]() Chronology of Paul by Krisan Marotta |
![]() from Blue Letter Bible |
![]() from Blue Letter Bible |
![]() Colossae from BibleAtlas.org |
![]() Philemon – RSB Notes from Bible Gateway |
![]() Philemon – Alfords Exegetical from BibleHub |
![]() Philemon Analytical Outline by Krisan Marotta |
![]() Paul’s 1st Journey from Bible-History.com |
![]() Paul’s 2nd Journey from Bible-History.com |
![]() Paul’s 3rd Journey from Bible-History.com |
![]() Chronology of Acts/Epistles from Blue Letter Bible |
![]() New Testament Cities from Bible-History.com |
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![]() Bible Study 101 |
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![]() Overview of the Book by Ray C Stedman |
![]() Author, Date, Background by John MacArthur |
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Maps from Studylight.org
- Paul’s First Missionary Journey
- Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
- Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
- Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment
- Paul’s Voyage to Rome
Key Words in Philemon
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
- Christ (8x) – Strong’s G5547 in 1:1, 1:3, 1:6, 1:8, 1:9, 1:20, 1:23, 1:25
- brother (5x/4v) – Strong’s G80 in 1:1, 1:7, 1:16, 1:20; sister (1x) – Strong’s G79 in 1:2; Father (1x) – Strong’s G3962 in 1:3
- fellow (4x) – Strong’s G4904 in 1:1 -worker, 1:2 -soldier, 1:23 -prisoner, 1:24 -workers; partner (1x) – Strong’s G2844 in 1:17
- appeal (2x) – Strong’s G3870 in 1:9, 1:10
- love (3x) – Strong’s G26 in 1:5, 1:5, 1:9
- faith (2x) – Strong’s G4102 in 1:5, 1:6
- slave (2x/1v)- Strong’s G1401 in 1:16
- confidence (2x) – Strong’s G3954 in 1:8; Strong’s G3982 in 1:21
- refresh, refreshed (2x) – Strong’s G373 in 1:7, 1:20
- accept (1x) – Strong’s G4355 in 1:17
Commentaries & Study Bibles
- Top 5 Commentaries on Philemon – Ligonier.org
- Best Commentaries on Philemon – Tim Challies
- Commentary Reviews: Philemon
- Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Philemon
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: Philemon
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: Philemon
- Adam Clarke Commentary: Philemon
- Geneva Study Bible: Philemon
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Philemon
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
City of Colossae
Letter
- Philemon, Theology of – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Philemon, Epistle to – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Philemon, Epistle to – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Philemon, Epistle to – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
Paul
- Paul, the Apostle – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Paul – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Paul, the Apostle – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Paul – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Paul, the Apostle – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Paul- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
Philemon
- Philemon – Hastings’ Dictionary of the New Testament
- Philemon – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Philemon – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Philemon – Hitchcock Bible Names: “who kisses”
Onesimus
- Onesimus – Hastings’ Dictionary of the New Testament
- Onesimus – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Onesimus – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Onesimus – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Onesimus – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Onesimus – Hitchcock Bible Names: “profitable, useful”
Timothy
- Timothy – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Timothy – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Timothy – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Timothy – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Timothy in Acts: Acts 16:1-3; Acts 17:14-15; Acts 18:5; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4
Epaphroditus/Epaphras
- Epaphroditus – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Epaphras – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Epaphroditus – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Epaphras – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Epaphroditus – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Epaphras – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Epaphroditus – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Epaphras – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Epaphroditus – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Epaphras – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Epaphras in NT: Colossians 1:7, 4:12; Philemon 1:23; Philippians 2:25, 4:18
Apphia
- Apphia – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Apphia – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Apphia – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Apphia – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Apphia is only mentioned in Philemon 1:2
Archippus
- Archippus – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Archippus – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Archippus – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Archippus – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Archippus is mentioned in Philemon 1:2 and Colossians 4:17.