1 

What is the first word of Philemon?

Answer: Paul

It says in Philemon 1:1, "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our
brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer."

Philemon's name means "affectionate". Philemon was converted by Paul to

Christianity.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

2 Paul, in his introduction, indicates that he is writing

alongside somebody else. Who is this other person, who was
a travelling companion on at least one of Paul's missionary
journeys?
Answer: Timothy

"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother..." (Philemon v. 1)

Acts records that Paul first met Timothy in Lystra (Acts 16 v. 1), who then
accompanied Paul on his travels. There is a tradition that Timothy later
became a bishop of Ephesus before being martyred.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

3 In his salutation, Paul mentions where he is writing from.

It's an ironic place indeed, considering his past as a
persecutor of Christians. Where is Paul penning this letter?
Answer: From prison

"Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus," is how he identifies himself in verse 1. Later,

he mentions his "imprisonment for the gospel" (verse 13) and passes along
the greetings of a "fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus" (verse 23). Paul's tone shows
confidence and optimism; he does not appear anxious about his time in jail.
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

4 To whom does Paul refer to as the fellow soldier?

Answer: Archippus
It says in Philemon 1:2 "And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow
soldier, and to the church in thy house."

Archippus' name means master of the horse.

  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

5 The letter is addressed to "Philemon our dear friend and

fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow
soldier and to the church that meets in your home." Then
comes a customary prayer of greeting in which Paul prays
which two blessings upon them?

Your options: [ Faith and hope ] [ Grace and peace ] [ Love and

forgiveness ] [ Courage and perseverance ]
Answer: Grace and peace

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
(Philemon v. 3)

Paul uses this same introductory prayer in Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians,

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2
Timothy, Titus - in other words, all of his epistles. It is also used in four of the
nine New Testament letters written by other authors.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

6 In addition to Philemon, Paul extends his greetings to

several others, including "the church in your house" and
which two early martyrs?

Your options: [ Apphia and Archippus ] [ Prisca and Aquila ] [ Sapphira

and Ananias ] [ Stephen and Dorcas ]
Answer: Apphia and Archippus

"To Philemon our dear friend and coworker," Paul writes in verses 1 and 2, "to
Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that
meets in your home." Apphia, the wife of Philemon, was later martyred with
him at Colossae, in Phrygia. Archippus -- himself an eventual martyr -- was
also mentioned in the final part of Paul's letter to the Colossians: "And say to
Archippus, 'See that you complete the task that you have received in the
Lord'" (Colossians 4:17). Paul's salutations emphasize the fact that the early
church really was a community, of friendship as well as of faith.
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

7 In the King James Version, who does Paul talk about giving
credit to for "every good thing that is in you"?
Answer: Jesus

It says in Philemon 1:6, "That the communication of thy faith may become
effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ
Jesus."

This is one of Paul's common themes.

  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

8 The subject matter is an escaped slave named Onesimus

whom Paul wants Philemon to take back. In what
circumstances had Paul come to know Onesimus?
Answer: Whilst he was imprisoned

"I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in
chains." (Philemon v. 10)

Paul does not record where he met Onesimus. The most likely location is
Ephesus. Other proposed possibilities include Rome and Caesarea.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

9 After the salutation, Paul describes his prayers for Philemon

and his gratitude for his devotion. He expresses a desire that
the "sharing of [Philemon's] faith" will be more fruitful; what
does Paul hope will make his correspondent more effective as
a missionary?
Answer: The knowledge of "every good thing we share for the sake of
Christ"

"When I remember you in my prayers," writes Paul, "I always thank my God
because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the
Lord Jesus" (verses 4-5). Having delivered such a lovely compliment, he
reminds Philemon that the stakes are high and that the time has come to work
still harder.

The quotations in the incorrect answer choices come from verse 7 of this
passage, and refer to the pleasant results of Philemon's faith and labor thus
far: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you,
brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people."
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

10 Who does Paul refer to as his son?

Answer: Onesimus

It says in Philemon 1:10, "I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have
begotten in my bonds."

Paul does not mean son in the literal sense. Onesimus is one of the people he
led to Christ.

11 "Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become

useful both to you and to me." (Philemon v. 11) How, with
these words, is Paul trying to crack a joke?
Answer: The word "Onesimus", in Greek, means useful.

Paul is not often noted for his humor but he does attempt to use it, on
occasions, in his letters. Possibly the clearest example of this comes in
Galatians. Paul has been arguing against those Jewish Christians that still insist
that circumcision is necessary. He then adds that he wishes the knife would
slip, in the act of circumcision, and castrate them instead. (Galatians 5 v. 12)
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

12 Paul is writing to Philemon in order to instruct him to do

something. "Although in Christ I could be bold and order you
to do what you ought to do," he says, "yet I prefer to appeal
to you on the basis of ____." On what does Paul want to base
his request?
Answer: Love
After extolling Philemon's love in verses 4-7, Paul appeals to it in verses 8 and
9. "It is as none other than Paul-an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ
Jesus- 10 that I appeal to you," he writes. How can anyone refuse such a
request?
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

13 In addition to the letter, what else is Paul sending to

Philemon?
Answer: Onesimus

"I am sending him - who is my very heart - back to you." (Philemon v. 12)

It's a high-risk strategy. Paul is hoping, even though he very carefully develops
the argument that it is all about Philemon's choice, to back him into a corner
in which he can't refuse.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

14 Paul's instructions center on a man named Onesimus,

known to Philemon and considered as "a son" by Paul. While
explaining the situation, Paul makes a pun on the man's
name. What does "Onesimus" mean?
Answer: Useful

"I appeal to you for my son, Onesimus," Paul writes in verses 10-11, "who
became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now
he has become useful both to you and to me." Having repented of his sins,
converted to Christianity, and dedicated himself to the service of God,
Onesimus is finally living up to his name.

Tradition holds that, accepted and forgiven by Philemon, Onesimus eventually

became Bishop of Ephesus before being martyred in Rome; stories disagree as
to whether he succumbed to stoning or to beheading.

There was another famous Onesimus who lived much later. Enslaved by
Puritan minister Cotton Mather, he is credited with saving lives during a 1721
smallpox epidemic in Boston. He recalled undergoing a form of smallpox
inoculation (using a thorn to convey the infectious material) as a child in
Africa, and suggested it to Mather. With the aid of Dr. Zabdiel Boylston
(subsequently elected to the Royal Society in London), some 244 people were
inoculated.
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

15 What does Paul say Onesimus is a slave to now?

Answer: the gospel

It says in Philemon 1:13, "Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy
stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel."

Saying that Onesimus is a slave to the gospel refers to the fact that Onesimus
is now saved as a Christian.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

16 Paul appeals to Philemon to take Onesimus back into his

household. Which of these arguments does he NOT use?

Your options: [ Philemon should do it out of love for Paul. ] [ The Bible

requires that Philemon take him back. ] [ Paul will make good any financial
loss. ] [ Now that he is a Christian, Onesimus can be like a brother to
Philemon. ]
Answer: The Bible requires that Philemon take him back.

"...yet I appeal to you on the basis of love." (Philemon v. 9)

"Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you
might have him back for good - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave,
as a dear brother." (Philemon v. 15-16)
"If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me."
(Philemon v. 18)

Paul was probably motivated by a desire to obey Roman law but, taken
literally, biblical teaching suggests the complete opposite:
"If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand him over to his master. Let
him live among you wherever he likes and in whatever town he chooses. Do
not oppress him." (Deuteronomy 23 v. 15-16)
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

17 "I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could

take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the
gospel," Paul writes of Onesimus in verse 13. Why does Paul
decide not to keep Onesimus with him, instead sending him
back to Philemon?
Answer: He wants Philemon to do a good deed of his own free will.

Paul has the ability to give Onesimus almost everything he needs: freedom,
forgiveness, fellowship, and a belief in the Gospel of Christ. Freedom and
forgiveness, however, are rightly Philemon's gifts to give. "I did not want to do
anything without your consent," Paul writes in verse 14, " I did not want to do
anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem
forced but would be voluntary." Onesimus, "that is, my own heart" (verse 12),
is Paul's messenger. Of course, Paul expresses no doubt of Philemon's
eventual choice: "Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that
you will do even more than I ask" (verse 21).
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

18 How does Paul tell Philemon he should receive Onesimus?

Answer: as a brother

It says in Philemon 1:16, "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?"

Christians regard themselves as a family in which God is the Father and all
Christians are brothers and sisters.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

19 In pressing his demands, Paul reveals that Philemon is in

Paul's debt. What, according to Paul, does Philemon owe
him?
Answer: His very self

"If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul,
am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back - not to mention that you
owe me your very self." (Philemon v. 18-19)

Paul doesn't expand upon this claim and the name of Philemon doesn't
appear anywhere else in the Bible. We are, therefore, left to presume that what
Paul means is that Philemon became a Christian under his ministry.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

20 Paul wants to involve Philemon because he knows that he

and Onesimus have a history. What is that story?
Answer: Onesimus, a slave of Philemon's, ran away -- and may have stolen
something in the process.

We do not know for certain whether Onesimus stole anything from Philemon,
although Paul alludes to the idea that he may have in verse 18. Paul does,
however, explicitly state that Onesimus was Philemon's slave, who had run
away and who later learned the Gospel from Paul: "Perhaps the reason he was
separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back
forever- 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother"
(verses 15-16).

This history explains Philemon's prominent position on both sides of the

slavery debates. Abolitionists pointed to the fact that Onesimus was to be
welcomed as a brother, and that Paul clearly saw him as Philemon's equal. On
the pro-slavery side, it was argued that -- despite ample opportunities to
proclaim slavery contrary to the Gospels -- Paul chose instead to frame the
letter as a personal appeal, and Onesimus's emancipation as a decision only
Philemon could make.

21 In what way does Paul seek to stress the importance of his
request?
Answer: He is personally writing part of the letter.

"If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul,
am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back - not to mention that you
owe me your very self." (Philemon v. 18-19)

On four other occasions, Paul draws attention to the fact that he is personally
writing a particularly significant segment of a letter. Most scholars have taken
this to mean that the rest of the letters were probably dictated to a scribe.
Here Paul is emphasising his personal promise to act as a guarantor for
Onesimus. For those who like chapter and verse, the other occurrences where
Paul highlights his own handwriting are 1 Corinthians 16 v. 21; Galatians 6 v.
11; Colossians 4 v. 18 and 2 Thessalonians 3 v. 17
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

22 Recognizing that Philemon has reason to be angry with

Onesimus, Paul offers him a way to save face. What is
Philemon supposed to do with Onesimus's debts and
wrongdoing?
Answer: Charge them to Paul's account

"If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything," Paul writes in verses 18-
19, "charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it
back." And then Paul, not one to miss an opportunity, casually notes, "not to
mention that you owe me your very self." It is easy to see why Christian
tradition is so confident that Philemon did as Paul asked, despite there being
no follow-up to this incident in the Bible: it is almost impossible to imagine
Philemon doing otherwise!
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

23 What does Paul ask Philemon to get ready for him?

Answer: lodgings

It says in Philemon 1:22, "But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that
through your prayers I shall be given unto you."

Paul plans to go and see Philemon at some point.

  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

24 Paul is hoping to visit Philemon and requests that which of

the following be prepared for him?

Your options: [ A set of accounts ] [ A room ] [ A map ] [ An armed
escort ]
Answer: A room

"And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be
restored to you in answer to your prayers." (Philemon v. 22)

We have no further information as to whether Paul ever used the room

prepared for him.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

25 Toward the end of the letter, Paul expresses confidence

that he will soon be freed from his plight. What does he tell
Philemon that he will do afterward?
Answer: Visit him

Verse 22 reads "And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I
hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers."

This line, the last in the body of the letter, is a beautiful example of Paul's
persuasiveness. In a subtle and friendly way, he lets Philemon know that he
expects to be in town soon to see how he has treated Onesimus. If Philemon
needs any more nudging to do the right thing, this ought to do it!
  From Quiz: Letter to Philemon . Question by author CellarDoor.

26 What is the correct order of the people Paul lists in verse

24?
Answer: Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas

It says in Philemon 1:24, "Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow

labourers."

Philemon is the shortest of Paul's epistles.

  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Philemon . Question by author Ilona_Ritter.

27 Onesimus appears in another of book of the New

Testament, in which he is recorded as accompanying Tychicus
in delivering one of Paul's letters. Which book is this?

Your options: [ Revelation ] [ Colossians ] [ Romans ] [ Luke ]

Answer: Colossians

"Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful
minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the
express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may
encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear
brother, who is one of you." (Colossians 4 v. 7-9)
This leads to the assumption that Philemon lived in Colossae and that it was
the Colossian church that met in his home. The first-century Christian writer,
Ignatius, records that there was a bishop of Ephesus named Onesimus.
Ephesus is about 100 miles from Colossae. Some traditions have made the link
to Philemon's slave, but with no direct evidence, and it should be remembered
that Onesimus was a common name of its time.
  From Quiz: Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon . Question by
author glendathecat.

28 Paul closes the letter by sharing greetings from his

companions, and by bestowing a final blessing on Philemon.
Whom does he name as a "prisoner in Christ Jesus"?
Answer: Epaphras

"Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit" (verses 23-25). These are familiar names! Mark
and Luke are thought to refer to the writers of those two Gospels. Along with
Demas, Aristarchus, and Epaphras, they all earn a mention in Paul's letter to
the Colossians (where he also mentions Onesimus's journey home);
Aristarchus is Paul's "fellow prisoner", and Epaphras "is always wrestling in his
prayers on [the Colossians'] behalf." (Colossians 4:9-14)

Thank you for joining me on a visit to a brief but beautiful book of the Bible.