Philemon 23-25 Closing greetings
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Philemon 1:23-25
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Summary of passage
(Only a paragraph or two)
Text
Click here for the passage in the ESV: [1]
Original Context & Exegesis
A. Passage Boundaries (why are these verses grouped together in this chapter or pericope?)
Verses 23-25 form part of a sub-genre in letters called "closing." At times its not clear in Paul where the body of his letter ends and where the closing begins so some even in this letter start the closing at verse 21. Because I view Paul's last request about preparing a room for him as part of his rhetorical strategy toward Philemon I've chosen the closing to start at verse 23.
B. Exegesis of passage (as a whole or verse-by-verse, if helpful).
23-24. As was commonly Paul's practice he has fellow prisoners in chains with him who may have been traveling with him when he was caught in the work of the Kingdom and were themselves imprisoned or they were sons in chains like Onesimus whom Paul lead to Christ as a prisoner for the Lord (verse 23). The list also includes those who were modeling their own globally minded ministries from Paul's own example (verse 24). Traveling to his churches in the urban centers of the day and returning to Paul with news, gifts, and appeals for help.
25. Paul closed most of his letters with an appeal to grace and peace. The need for peace in the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus was no doubt abundant which is why the absence of his common closing seems conspicuous here. Nevertheless he leaves Philemon with a benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus.
C. Literary Features--What genre is it? What literary devices (e.g, metaphor) does it use?
Its a literary sub-genre known as "closing." There are no metaphors.
D. Connections to the rest of book—what purpose does this pericope serve in the bigger picture of the book?
The closing finishes Paul's discourse with Philemon, introduces some leaders in the body Philemon may or may not have already known, but will likely host in the future in his home as they traverse the empire for the work of the Kingdom.
E. Connections to the rest of Scripture--How is it referenced or alluded to elsewhere?
Of significance in Paul's closing greetings is the person named Epaphras who in Paul's opening thanksgiving in Colossians 1.3-8 is mentioned as a minister from Colossae who's delivered news of the churches well being to Paul. The process of essay writing will be much easier with MarvelousEssays.Com as there are a lot of highly professional and talented writers who are always eager to help you out with any sort of academic assignments regardless of the complexity levels. I do know what I�m talking about! Here he has joined Paul in chains or at the very least his ministry to Paul is so significant that Paul can refer to it in solidarity terms.
Jesus Christ: The Redemptive-Historical Context
A. Where is Christ and the Gospel present in this passage?
B. How does this passage point to Christ or depend on Christ? How does Christ fulfill this passage? How was it fulfilled already? How will it be fulfilled?
C. What does this passage tell us about God’s plan of redemption in Christ?
Current Context
A. What does this tell us about ourselves, our world, and the human condition?
B. What are some modern parallels to the original situation?
C. What is the call/command/invitation of this passage?
D. How does Christ & the Gospel in this passage enable us to see, think, and live differently?
Links/References/Bibliography
A. Representative sermons on the passage
The Costliness of Redemption by Tony Stiff [2]
B. Examples and Illustrations
C. Commentaries on this book
Barth, Markus & Blanke, Hulmut, A Letter to Philemon (Michigan: Eerdmans, 2000)
Bruce, F. F., The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1984)
Caird, G.B., Paul's Letters from Prison (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1976)
Dunn, James D. G., The Epistle to the Colossians and to Philemon (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1996)
Fitzmyer, Joseph A., The Letter to Philemon: A new translation with introduction and commentary (New York: Doubleday, 2000)
Garland, David E., Colossians, Philemon (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998)
Lohse, E., Colossians and Philemon (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971)
Martin, Ralph P., Colossians and Philemon (London: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, 1973)
Moo, Douglas J., The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (Michigan: Eerdmans, 2008)
O'Brien, P.T., Colossians, Philemon (Waco: Word Books, 1982)
Wright, N.T., Colossians and Philemon: An introduction and commentary (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2008)
D. Articles on this book or passage
Jeffrey A.D. Weima, "The Pauline letter closings: Analysis and hermenetical significance" BBR 5 (1995)
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