The apostle Paul undermined the Roman system of slavery by seeking to transform the relationship between masters and slaves. Could he have done more? Could we be doing more to challenge the injustices of our time? Previous Philemon List Next Philemon: Broader Questions About Slavery The apostle Paul undermined the Roman system of slavery by seeking to transform the relationship between masters and slaves. Could he have done more? Could we be doing more to challenge the injustices of our time? Kiwi the Green Wing Macaw, in a cage. Quality Inn Oceanfront, Ocean City, MD. Photo by Tom Faletti, 28 Sept. 2024. Tom Faletti October 6, 2025 Broader Questions About Slavery We have carefully explored Paul’s letter to Philemon. Now let’s look at the broader issue of slavery in the Roman Empire as it affected the early church. First, some background facts: When the New Testament was being written, 20% or more of all the people in the Roman Empire were slaves, and the percentage was higher in the Empire’s home province of Italy ( Welch and Hall ; The British Museum ). Slavery was embedded in the entire fabric of the Roman Empire. It was central to the social structure and economic system, and it was a central feature of Rome’s military expansion. The Empire routinely captured thousands of enemy soldiers and civilians when they won military victories and brought them to Rome or other parts of Italy as slaves. Slaves performed a wide range of jobs, both professional and menial, so they often moved freely around their city and could show up everywhere – sometimes working side by side with freed people. A master didn’t have to be wealthy to own a slave. Slaves were allowed to earn money, which served as an incentive for good performance. They could buy their freedom, if their master was willing. Masters also sometimes freed slaves by their own choice. In the early centuries of the Roman Empire, slave owners were allowed to treat their slaves any way they wanted, and abuses were common. Almost any kind of punishment was permitted. A slave could be beaten, forced to wear irons, branded on the forehead, or even killed by a master. In addition, if the government got involved – for example, when there were slave rebellions – the penalty could be crucifixion. And being a fugitive slave in the Roman Empire was a major crime. Later, restrictions were placed on how masters treated their slaves. Both slaves and masters, like other people, were often attracted to the new religion of Christianity. Therefore, the early church included both slaves and masters, and the church had to figure out how to deal with the constant presence of slaves and masters in their midst. People sometimes ask why Paul didn’t denounce slavery or call for its abolition. How might his approach have been affected by his expectation that Christ would be coming back soon? Considering the structure of the Roman Empire, what do you think would have happened if he or other Christians had worked to abolish slavery in the Roman Empire? Why might he have chosen not to challenge the slave-based social structure? In the Gospels, Jesus never calls for the abolition of slavery. He tells stories about slaves and masters. He says that the truth will set you free (John 8:31-36), but he is talking about spiritual freedom from sin, not slavery as an institution. Why do you think Jesus never called for the abolition of slavery? While Paul does not explicitly call for an end to slavery, he says things that could be seen as undermining the system. For example, what are the implications of saying that a slave is a beloved brother in the Lord (Philemon 16)? Paul talks about slaves, masters, and free people in several of his letters. Let’s look at what Paul says when he brings up the topic: 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 Stay in the state you’re in Why does Paul encourage people to avoid slavery and to become free if they can? What attitude does he say people should have if they are slaves? How is Paul’s teaching here supportive of the existing social structure of slavery? How does Paul’s teaching here undermine the existing system? In what ways might saying that slaves are free in the Lord lay the groundwork for an end to slavery? 1 Corinthians 12:13 the Spirit is given to slaves and free people Consider the social and political distinctions that come with being a slave or a free person. How is Paul’s teaching here subversive of the existing social structure of slavery? Galatians 3:26-28 In Christ there is neither slave nor free How does the principle Paul establishes here undermine the slavery system and lay the groundwork for enslaved people to eventually be freed and treated as equals? Colossians 3:11 there is no slave nor free; Christ is in all How does saying that “Christ is in all” add to what Paul said in Galatians 3? Ephesians 6:5-9 how slaves and masters should treat each other How do Paul’s instructions to slaves suggest an entirely different way of thinking about their work? How do Paul’s instructions to masters suggest an entirely different way of thinking about their relationship to their slaves? Considering what we know about how masters could abuse their slaves with impunity in the Roman Empire, how is Paul fostering a new way of thinking about slaves? Colossians 3:22–4:1 how slaves and masters should treat each other These instructions are very similar to the instructions in Ephesians 6. What words does Paul uses in 4:1 that introduce a new way of thinking about how masters should treat slaves? Paul says masters should treat their slaves “justly” – a word that raises a question: what is justice for slaves? And when he says masters should treat their slaves “fairly,” the root of the Greek word he uses is the word for equality (Liddell and Scott; Vine; and the Interlinear Bible ). In other words, Paul is telling masters to treat their slaves with justice and with equality (although he does not elaborate as to whether he means equality among slaves or equality between slaves and free people). What message about slavery is Paul sending by saying that slaves should be treated justly and fairly? Conclusion Different people reach different conclusions about Paul’s handling of the reality of slavery in the Roman Empire. What do you think about how Paul dealt with this central feature of Roman society? Do you think his focus on transforming attitudes was appropriate, or do you think he should have done more? Could we be doing more to challenge the injustices of our time? Paul Robinson Coleman-Norton is cited as a key source by Joseph A. Fitzmyer, who wrote the commentary on Philemon for The New Jerome Biblical Commentary . Coleman-Norton (1898-1971) was an authority on Roman law at Princeton University for 40 years. Coleman-Norton noted that Paul “does not denounce the system [of slavery] itself as wrong; rather Paul tries to transform the relation of master and slave by referring it to Christian considerations.” He concludes that Paul “enunciates the doctrine which eventually destroyed the system of slavery” (Coleman-Norton, p. 165). In other words, Paul sowed seeds that eventually led Christians to conclude that the institution of slavery could not be defended. Do you agree? When you get to heaven, what would you like to ask Paul about this subject? Epilogue Why do you think this letter about a personal matter was included in the New Testament, when most of the letters in the canon were written for the public instruction of a church or a group of churches? There is an interesting historical footnote to this story. Around 50 years after Paul wrote this letter, sometime between 108 and 117, Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop or “patriarch” of Antioch, was being taken to Rome to be martyred. On the way, he wrote 7 letters (which still survive) to various churches in Asia Minor. In his letter to the church at Ephesus, he praises their bishop, Onesimus. Scholars wonder whether this Onesimus might be the same Onesimus who Paul wrote to Philemon about. (If Philemon was a young man when he ran away, he could have been an old bishop 50 years later.) Some scholars believe that Paul’s letters were assembled into one document at Ephesus. If Onesimus became the bishop there, he could be the reason why the church at Ephesus preserved this seemingly personal letter from Paul. (See Orthodox Church in America for a statement of this belief.) If Onesimus did ultimately become a bishop, that would suggest that Paul was successful in his mission of getting Philemon to allow Onesimus to work in ministry. Take a step back and consider this: Every generation faces new or resurrected issues where the Christian faith has something to say that runs contrary to the norms of a culture or society. If we are trying to influence someone to “do the right thing” in their treatment of a group that might be suffering mistreatment or might be at risk, Paul’s approach to Philemon might offer us some suggestions for how to be effective advocates. Paul’s leadership tips for how to approach a decision maker might include the following: Praise the decision maker for what he or she has already done. Praise the people you are advocating for. Try to persuade but not command. Describe the benefits to the decision maker of following your suggestion. Describe the benefits to yourself and the people you are advocating for. Offer logical, reasoned arguments. Appeal to both the head and the heart. Acknowledge that the decision is ultimately in their hands. What might be an issue today where you feel called to speak up and urge someone to find an appropriate way to put the teachings of Christ into practice? How could you draw wisdom (and courage) from Paul’s example, regarding how to do it? What might your next step be? Bibliography See Philemon - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/philemon/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Philemon List Next

How much do you know about the resurrection of Jesus? What does the Bible say? Take this 5-question quiz and see what you know. Previous All Special Materials Next Easter Quiz: The Resurrection of Jesus How much do you know about the resurrection of Jesus? What does the Bible say? Take this 5-question quiz and see what you know. Image by Pisit Hing, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti April 20, 2025 Click the following link to take this 5-question quiz and see what you know about the Resurrection: Easter Quiz: The Resurrection of Jesus Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous All Special Materials Next

Jesus describes his death as both a judgment on the world and something that will draw all people to himself. Why is his crucifixion such a central part of what he is doing in the world? Previous Next John List John 12:27-36 Jesus describes his death as both a judgment on the world and something that will draw all people to himself. Why is his crucifixion such a central part of what he is doing in the world? James Tissot (1836–1902). The Voice from on High (La voix d'en haut) . Between 1886 and 1894. Brooklyn Museum, New York, NY. Public domain, Brooklyn Museum, https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/4546 . Tom Faletti May 4, 2026 Read John 12:27-36 If I am lifted up, I will draw all people to myself John does not tell the story of Jesus experiencing the agony in the Garden. In general, he puts greater emphasis on Jesus’s divinity and gives less attention to his humanity, but not always. On the one hand, John does not tell the story of Jesus’s birth, even though Jesus’s mother Mary was entrusted to him at the foot of the cross and went to Ephesus with him, so he would have had easy access to those stories. On the other hand, John is the one who tells us that Jesus wept at Lazarus’s tomb, a very human emotion. Instead of the whole story of the agony in the Garden, John gives us only verse 27. How does he say Jesus is feeling? Here, Jesus is troubled, but he responds quickly. In the other Gospels, Jesus is in agony, so anguished that his sweat drips like drops of blood, and he prays a long time. In Matthew, Jesus says, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). Here in John, he rejects the idea that he should say, “Father, save me from this hour.” It might be useful to think of Matthew as presenting Jesus’s state of mind at the beginning of his hour of prayer in the Garden and John as presenting his state of mind when he had finished praying and was ready to go forward to his torture and death. How is it helpful for us to hear both Jesus’s anguish at the beginning of his prayer and the conclusion he reached by the time he finished praying? Do you ever go through a similar process, where you are in a very unsettled frame of mind when you begin to pray, but by the end of your prayer time you are ready to go forward and face what is coming? What can you learn from that experience? What needs to happen in our prayer time to help us move from an unsettled or even anguished starting point to a place of readiness and confidence that with God we can face whatever comes? What can we do to help get to that resolute endpoint? Many things can help get us to that point. It might involve making a conscious decision to let go and give the matter to God. It might require taking time to listen to God as well as telling God how we feel, being willing to express both our doubts and our faith. What else might help? What do you make of verses 28-30? Jesus asks the Father to glorify his name, the Father responds, and Jesus says the Father spoke for the benefit of the people, not for Jesus. Why do you think Jesus and the Father do what they do here, and why do you think John includes it in his account? Jesus wants his followers to have confidence in him. The Father affirms that Jesus is who he says he is and ratifies what Jesus has been saying. They do this to give encouragement to Jesus’s followers, which is why Jesus says in verse 30 that he did this for their benefit, not his. In verse 31, Jesus speaks of two kinds of judgment. First, he says that what is about to happen serves as a judgment of this world. How did Jesus’s death on the cross serve as a judgment of the world? The execution of Jesus shows that the people of the world are sinners who have chosen evil and need to experience judgment. Second, Jesus says in verse 31 that now the ruler or prince of this world will be driven out (or cast out). He is referring to Satan. In what way is Satan driven out when Jesus dies and is raised back to life? Satan’s power has been defeated by Jesus’s death. The devil has been despoiled (he has had his power over the world taken away from him). His favorite tool, death, has been destroyed, and in the end he will be destroyed. We see these concepts in Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14; and Revelation 20:10, 14. We recognize that this has not been brought to complete fulfilment yet, but we know it is coming. Jesus Christ defeated the devil on the cross, and although the devil continues a rearguard action against the kingdom of God for now, he will ultimately be destroyed in the Final Judgment. How does Jesus’s death on the cross show what kind of judgment he brings to the world? In John 5:22, Jesus said that the Father gave all judgment to the Son; and in John 8:15, Jesus said that he does not judge according to the flesh – i.e., by human standards or human appearances. His sacrifice of himself on the cross shows what kind of judgment he brings – a judgment based on love rather than vindictiveness. He brings the kind of judgment that produces justice. In verse 32, Jesus says, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” What does he mean by lifted up? John notes in verse 33 that Jesus’s reference to being lifted up refers to what kind of death he will suffer: He will be hung on a cross. In what way did Jesus draw all people to himself by his death? In verse 34, the people say that they think the Old Testament indicates that the Messiah will live forever. (They might be thinking of Psalm 110:4; Isaiah 9:6; Ezekiel 37:25; or Daniel 7:14, which imply that the Messiah will live forever.) Jesus does live forever, even though he died. But instead of making that point, he returns to the image of light and darkness. What does he say in verses 35-36? What do verses 35-36 say to you as you live your life? We have the light, but we may still sometimes choose to walk in darkness. What can we do to stay in the light? In what ways are we “children of the light” (verse 36)? Some parts of verses 27-36 repeat themes from earlier chapters. What new points do you see here that are relevant to your life, and how can you apply them in your everyday living? Take a step back and consider this: In verse 32, Jesus says, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” He is not just a victim who is helpless as things are done to him. He is in control. He is taking action. And what he is doing is leading somewhere. When he has gone through the crucifixion, he will draw all people to myself. How does Jesus draw people to himself, having sacrificed himself on the cross? What Jesus says here tells us that his crucifixion is a key part of the story. People need to know about it, because it is a central element of what will draw them to him. (His resurrection, which is also a kind of being “lifted up from the earth,” is also a key part of the story.) When you talk about your faith, how often do you include Jesus’s death on the cross as a key part of the story? Why is the crucifixion such a central part of the story? Bibliography See John - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/john/bibliography . Copyright © 2026, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous John List Next

Subscribing to Faith Explored is free and lets you receive an email notification when new posts are added that can help you apply the Bible to your everyday life. Thank You for Subscribing! We appreciate you! As a subscriber you will receive email notifications when we post new articles, which can help you grow in your faith! If you haven't already become a member, join here to post comments: Become a member Check Out Our Blog Posts What Would You Like to Do Now? Explore a Bible study to grow in your faith: Matthew Philemon John Hope 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Mary Read an article on how to apply the Bible to everyday life: Back to School with the Greatest Teacher of All It’s Back to School time for all of us, no matter how young or old we are. Everyone is invited to learn in the classroom of the greatest teacher the world has ever known: Jesus. How do we do that? His lesson plan is ready. We just need to show up. God is Not Appeased by Our Sacrifices There is no sacrifice you can make that will appease God. Fortunately, unlike the Greek gods, that’s not what God wants. The Bible has a much more surprising view of sacrifice. Will you join in, unite with God, and be a member of his team? God Works to Bring Good Out of Evil God allows bad things to happen – not because he wills or desires evil but because he believes so strongly in giving us free will. But he doesn’t stop there. He invites us to cooperate with him and allow him to bring good out of evil. What Do We Mean by God’s Will? God sustains the universe even though bad things sometimes happen. Instead of ordering everything to happen by decree, he shows us his perfect will – what he desires to see happen – and permits people to respond by doing good or evil by their own free will. These are all facets of God’s “will.” Thankful for the Things I am Not in Control Of How often are you thankful for the things you are not in control of? Consider these wise words from a young man who is thankful for things he can't control. How can we respond to a God who lovingly gives us so many good things we do not control? The True Freedom We Can Celebrate Every Day Now that the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence has passed, let’s take a look at what true freedom really is. It is more than just freedom FROM the rule of others. America’s founders saw it as freedom FOR something. But for what? Image at top  Mateus Campos Felipe, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Oher images provided by Wix.

Paul sends Onesimus to Philemon with a letter. Previous Philemon List Next Introduction Paul sends Onesimus to Philemon with a letter. Paul and Onesimus. “A Letter to Philemon.” VideoBible.com . Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/vb-philemon/ . Tom Faletti October 4, 2025 Introduction The apostle Paul wrote this brief letter to Philemon, asking him to treat kindly a man they both knew. The introductory notes are brief, so they are included in the study of the first part of the letter, which can be found here: Philemon 1-7 . Click Philemon 1-7 to see the Introduction and continue with the study. Bibliography See Philemon - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/philemon/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Philemon List Next

A righteous man, Zechariah, has a supernatural experience that begins the story of Jesus. Previous Next Luke List Luke 1:5-24 A righteous man, Zechariah, has a supernatural experience that begins the story of Jesus. Image by Julian Hanslmaier, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti Luke 1:5-14 In this passage, a priest has an overwhelming, spiritual experience in the Temple in Jerusalem. How is Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth described? What kind of people are they? What kind of life do they live? If someone were summarizing your life in a couple of sentences, could they say that about you? What would they say about your faith life? (to be continued) Bibliography See Luke - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/luke/bibliography . Copyright © 2026, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Next Luke List

Luke provides an orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus, explaining the significance of Jesus for all nations. His Gospel places a special emphasis on the lowly, outcast, and marginalized, and God's concern for them. Previous Next Luke List Introduction to Luke Luke provides an orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus, explaining the significance of Jesus for all nations. His Gospel places a special emphasis on the lowly, outcast, and marginalized, and God's concern for them. Image by James Coleman, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti This article will provide an introduction to the Gospel of Luke, including what we know about its author, when it was written, who the intended audience was, Luke's purposes/goals, etc. Bibliography See Luke - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/luke/bibliography . Copyright © 2026, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Next Luke List

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Previous Next Template 2 Subtitle. Image by David Tomaseti, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti ​ Template text 2. Copyright © 2024, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com . See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Next Please Join the Conversation! If you are a member and would like to react to or ask a question about any topic here, please post a question in the forum below. You are also encouraged to continue the conversation in any post by posting a response. Join the conversation here: Forum Page Become a Member

Previous Next Template 3 Subtitle. Image by David Tomaseti, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti ​ Template text 3. Copyright © 2024, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com . See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Next Please Join the Conversation! If you are a member and would like to react to or ask a question about any topic here, please post a question in the forum below. You are also encouraged to continue the conversation in any post by posting a response. Join the conversation here: Forum Page Become a Member

Previous Next Template 11 Subtitle. Image by David Tomaseti, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Tom Faletti ​ Template text 11. Copyright © 2024, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com . See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Next Please Join the Conversation! If you are a member and would like to react to or ask a question about any topic here, please post a question in the forum below. You are also encouraged to continue the conversation in any post by posting a response. Join the conversation here: Forum Page Become a Member