Theology And Religious Studies Research Paper 2022

Running head: THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES: AN ANALYSIS OF PHILEMON 17-20
(NASB)
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................2
2.0 Historical and Literary Contexts................................................................................................3
3.0 Translation.................................................................................................................................8
4.0 Exposition................................................................................................................................11
5.0 Application..............................................................................................................................13
6.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................15

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1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this exegesis paper is to undertake an analysis of Philemon 17-20 (NASB)
in the particular context of the ideas highlighted in the Greek New Testament and the relation of
Philemon 17-20 with the same. More importantly, rather than presenting a mere summary of
Philemon 17-20, the paper will shed light on some of the most important concepts subtly
highlighted by the exegesis like slavery, the duties of a Christian, the help that Christians need to
offer to the slaves, love and faith on God, humanity and humility and others. As a matter of fact,
the discussion section of this paper had been divided into four sections, namely, historical and
literary contexts, translation, exposition and application. For instance, in the historical and
literary contexts section, the paper highlights the historical context materials which influenced
the composition of this exegesis and also the literary meaning of the same. In the translation
section, the paper undertakes an idiomatic translation of Philemon 17-20 so as highlight the exact
meaning of the concerned exegesis. In the exposition section, the paper undertakes an analysis of
the different elements of the concerned exegesis and also tries to analyze its relationship with the
verses of the passage as well. Lastly, the application section elucidates the primary thrust or
particular concern of the passage while highlighting the ethical principles and the theological
significance of the passage.
In the exegesis Philemon 17-20, Philemon had received a letter from Paul regarding
Onesimus, his runaway slave. In the letter it is seen that Paul requests Philemon to forgive his
salve and also to liberate him to that he can serve God and Christianity in the best possible
manner and that too without any restrictions1. More importantly, Paul also states that if Philemon
1 Bruce, Frederick Fyvie. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing, 1984.

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believes that he had been wronged on account of the running away from his slave Onesimus then
he can charge Paul for the same and Paul is willing to repay Philemon for the same. However, it
is seen that this apparently simply passage is ingrained with different complex themes like
fraternity, humanity, Christian love, the duties of a Christian, Christian fellowship, reconciliation
and others which in turn had substantially contributed towards the popularity of this particular
exegesis even in the present times2. Furthermore, it is seen that behind the veil of all these ideas
or the themes that the exegesis uses it tries to highlight the duties of the Christians in the face of
slavery while reminding them that their focus should be on refreshing the heart of Christ or the
Lord. It is in this particular backdrop that this exegesis paper had been written by the researcher.
2.0 Historical and Literary Contexts
Comfort, Davids and Hoehner3 are of the viewpoint that perhaps the most important issue
that the scholars face while dealing with the different exegesis can be attributed to the fact that it
is very difficult to exactly pinpoint the author of the concerned exegesis. Adding to this, Arnold
et al.4 have noted that this can be explained on the basis of the fact that unlike the present times
wherein the books or the texts are published under the name of the authors in the earlier times
this was not the same since it was seen that the exegesis works were being widely circulated into
the theological circles and rarely the authorship for the same was being claimed by its original
writers. This in turn had given rise to the situation wherein it is seen that the authorship of a large
number of exegesis texts are known even today despite the high quality as well as the popularity
of the same even in the present times. However, at the same time it needs to be said that
2 Brogdon, Lewis. A Companion to Philemon. Vol. 42. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2018.
3 Comfort, Philip, Peter Davids, and Harold W. Hoehner. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians,
Philemon. Vol. 16. Tyndale House, 2017.
4 Arnold, Clinton E., Frank S. Thielman, and Steven M. Baugh. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.
Zondervan Academic, 2016.