Quizzing the New Testament : Philemon

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. 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.

2. 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?

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.

3. 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.

4. "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)

5. 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.

6. Paul appeals to Philemon to take Onesimus back into his household. Which of these arguments does he NOT use?

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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Paul is hoping to visit Philemon and requests that which of the following be prepared for him?

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.

10. 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?

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.

Source: Author glendathecat

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This is part of a series looking at the books of the New Testament. Philemon is a very personal letter, written by the apostle Paul to an old friend, in which he pleads the case of a runaway slave. Come and step inside.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>