Questions about the Book of Philemon

The book of Philemon is the eighteenth book of the New Testament. This epistle to Philemon, written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, was probably carried to Philemon, a well-to-do citizen of Colosse, by the same messenger who bore the Ephesian and Colossian letters, Tychicus. Onesimus, had been unprofitable to his master Philemon and had probably robbed the master and fled to Rome, There he was converted through Paul’s ministry and now Paul was sending him back accompanied by Tychius and this letter. This Epistle can be divided into two parts: 1) The character of Philemon. 2) The intercession for Onesimus The author of this book is Paul. Listed below are questions on the book of Philemon. These questions can be used freely for Sunday school or bible study to help all young Christians study the scriptures. My prayers are with you always and may God bless you in your studies.

Philemon Chapter 1

1) What was Paul doing when he wrote this letter to Philemon? (Philemon 1:1)

2) What did Paul say about Philemon in verse one? (Philemon 1:1)

3) Who was also greetings sent to in this verse? (Philemon 1:2)

4) Where was the local group of Christians in Colosse meeting at for worship? (Philemon 1:2)

5) In what way did Paul remember Philemon and the other believers? (Philemon 1:4)

6) What had Paul heard about Philemon’s character, according to verse five? (Philemon 1:5)

7) Can you state Paul’s desire for Philemon in verse six of this book? (Philemon 1:6)

8) How was Paul affected by Philemon’s attitude toward the saints? (Philemon 1:7)

9) How does Paul refer to Philemon in verse seven? (Philemon 1:7)

10) How does Paul describe himself as he writes this letter? (Philemon 1:9)

11) How was Onesimus won to Jesus Christ? (Philemon 1:10)

12) How was Onesimus characterized before he was saved? (Philemon 1:11)

13) In what spirit is Philemon to receive his runaway slave? (Philemon 1:12)

14) What could Paul have done with this slave in verse thirteen? (Philemon 1:13)

15) Why did Paul not keep Onesimus with him, according to verse fourteen? (Philemon 1:14)

16) In what way was this whole episode of the runaway slave turning out for the good? (Philemon 1:15)

17) If Onesimus ran away as a slave, how was he being returned? (Philemon 1:16)

18) How were the past debts of Onesimus to be settled? (Philemon 1:18)

19) In what respect was Philemon indebted to Paul? (Philemon 1:19)

20) What kind of a response does Paul expect from Philemon? (Philemon 1:20)

21) What could Paul be hinting at when he expects Philemon to do more than he asks of him? (Philemon 1:21)

22) What was Paul’s hope concerning the future? (Philemon 1:22)

Note: I pray that these questions have helped your study and under standing of Gods’ word in the Bible. Please feel free to pass them on to other people if they have helped you.

Your, Brother in Christ

Frank Rose