unfoldingWord_en_tn/en_tn_58-PHM.tsv

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2PHMfrontintrosz2w0# 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 “Pauls 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 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]])
3PHM11sg4ffigs-you0General 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 Philemons 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 singular “you” and “your” refer to Philemon unless otherwise noted. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
4PHM11cgs4δέσμιος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ1a prisoner of Christ JesusPeople who opposed Pauls preaching had punished him by putting him in prison.
5PHM11sv3pὁ ἀδελφὸς1our brotherHere **brother** means a fellow Christian.
6PHM11r3l9figs-exclusiveἡμῶν1ourThe word **our** here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
7PHM11ww3lκαὶ συνεργῷ ἡμῶν1and our fellow workeralternate translation: “who, like us, works to spread the gospel”
8PHM12e8sufigs-exclusiveἡμῶν1ourThe word **our** here refers to Paul and those with him but not to the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
9PHM12kyzoἈπφίᾳ…Ἀρχίππῳ…τῇ…ἐκκλησίᾳ1The letter is predominantly addressed to Philemon. It could be misleading to suggest Paul is writing to **Apphia**, **Archippus**, and **the church** in Philemons house,on the same level as Philemon.
10PHM12zh5ctranslate-namesἈπφίᾳ, τῇ ἀδελφῇ1to Apphia our sisterHere **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]])
11PHM12sq44translate-namesἈρχίππῳ1ArchippusThis is the name of a man in the church with Philemon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
12PHM12mnn5figs-metaphorτῷ συνστρατιώτῃ ἡμῶν1our fellow soldierPaul 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]])
13PHM13r4nqχάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ1Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus ChristAlternate translation: “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” This is a blessing.
14PHM13e5z8figs-inclusiveἡμῶν1ourThe word **our** here refers to Paul, those with him, and the reader. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]])
15PHM13lh8aguidelines-sonofgodprinciplesΠατρὸς1FatherThis is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
16PHM17shpvfigs-activepassiveτὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων ἀναπέπαυται διὰ σοῦ1the inward parts of the saints are being refreshed by youThis 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]])
17PHM17aq4gfigs-metonymyτὰ σπλάγχνα τῶν ἁγίων1the inward parts of the saintsHere **inward parts** is a metonym for a persons emotions or inner being. Alternate translation: “the thoughts and feelings of God's people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
18PHM18ayy10Connecting Statement:Paul begins his plea and the reason for his letter.
19PHM18fd84πολλὴν ἐν Χριστῷ παρρησίαν1all boldness in ChristThis could mean: (1) “all authority because of Christ” (2) “all courage because of Christ.”
20PHM19l9fhδιὰ τὴν ἀγάπην1because of loveThis could mean: (1) “because I know that you love Gods people” (2) “because you love me” (3) “because I love you”
21PHM110lsr6translate-namesὈνήσιμον1General Information:Onesimus is the name of a man. He was apparently Philemons slave and had stolen something and ran away. The name **Onesimus** means “profitable” or “useful.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
22PHM110mui3figs-metaphorὃν ἐγέννησα ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1whom I have fathered in my chainsHere **fathered** is a metaphor that means Paul told Onesimus about Christ and Onesimus became a believer. 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]])
23PHM110nx1pfigs-metonymyἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1in my chainsPrisoners 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]])
24PHM112t1kpὃν ἀνέπεμψά σοι1I sent him back to youPaul was probably sending Onesimus with another believer who carried this letter.
25PHM113t4xlἵνα ὑπὲρ σοῦ μοι διακονῇ1so that he might serve me on behalf of youAlternate translation: “so that, since you cannot be here, he might help me” or “so that he could help me while you are away”
26PHM113bb3tfigs-metonymyἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς1in the chainsPrisoners were often bound in **chains**. Paul was in prison when he told Onesimus about the Messiah, and he was still in prison when he wrote this letter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
27PHM116f8tzἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν1a beloved brotherAlternate translation: “a dear brother” or “a precious brother in Christ”
28PHM116scj1ἐν Κυρίῳ1in the LordAlternate translation: “because he is a brother in the Lord” or “because he is a fellow believer in the Lord”
29PHM117e1j2εἰ…με ἔχεις κοινωνόν1if you have me as a partner“if you think of me as a fellow worker for Christ”
30PHM119wb53ἐγὼ Παῦλος ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί1I, Paul, write this with my own handAlternate translation: “I, Paul, write this myself.” Paul wrote this part of the letter with his **own hand** so that Philemon would know that the words were really from Paul. Paul really would pay him. This also implies that for most of the letter, Paul dictated what he said and it was written down by someone else.
31PHM119gn6cfigs-ironyἵνα μὴ λέγω σοι1in order not to say to youAlternate translation: “I do not need to remind you” or “You already know.” Paul says he does not need to tell Philemon this, but then he continues to tell him anyway. This emphasizes the truth of what Paul is telling him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
32PHM119st7efigs-explicitκαὶ σεαυτόν μοι προσοφείλεις1you also owe me your own selfAlternate translation: “you owe me much because I saved your life by telling you about the Messiah” or “you owe me your own life because what I told you about the Messiah saved your life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
33PHM120xp0bfigs-explicitἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα ἐν Χριστῷ1refresh my inward parts in ChristHow Paul wanted Philemon to 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]])
34PHM120j8lhfigs-metaphorἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα1refresh my inward partsHere **refresh** is a metaphor for comfort or encourage. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
35PHM120kmppfigs-metonymyἀνάπαυσόν μου τὰ σπλάγχνα1refresh my inward partsHere “inward parts” is a metonym for a persons feelings, thoughts, or inner being. Alternate translation: “encourage me” or “comfort me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
36PHM121xpn60Connecting Statement:Paul closes his letter and gives a blessing on Philemon and the believers that met for church in Philemons house.
37PHM122bx62ἅμα1at the same timeAlternate translation: “While you are doing this”
38PHM122ctr4χαρισθήσομαι ὑμῖν1I will be given back to youAlternate translation: “those who are keeping me in prison will set me free so that I can go to you.”
39PHM123x2d8translate-namesἘπαφρᾶς1EpaphrasThis is a fellow believer and prisoner with Paul. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
40PHM124i5gctranslate-namesΜᾶρκος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Δημᾶς, Λουκᾶς1Mark…Aristarchus…Demas…LukeThese are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
41PHM124gf6eοἱ συνεργοί μου1my fellow workersAlternate translation: “the men who work with me” or “who all work with me.”
42PHM125apvlfigs-synecdocheμετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν1be with your spiritThe words **your spirit** are a synecdoche and represent the people themselves. Paul is referring to Philemon and all who met in his house. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])