Comparing the language of Philemon

Comparing the language of Philemon to the other accepted letters of Paul

In this study, I look at the language used in the Book of Philemon compared to the language used in the other 6 accepted books written by Paul. (Plus 2 Thessalonians ..exclude these readings if you so wish)

Inspired by the work of Dr Stephen Boyce, where he showed a strong literary connection between Philemon and the pastoral epistles, I decided to compare the language of Philemon to the generally accepted books of Paul (plus 2 Thessalonians).

What I think this shows is that there is a strong literary connection between Philemon and these 6 (7) letters. This then shows a strong literary connection between the 6 letters generally attributed to Paul and the pastoral epistles.

Key at the bottom of the page.

Philemon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother (Rom 1:13 x19 , 1 Corinthians 1:1 38,  2 Corinthians 1:1 x12, Galatians 1;2 x11, Philippians 1:12 x 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 x 19, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x9,  , unto Philemon our dearly beloved (Romans 1:7 x7, 1 Corinthians 4:14 x4, 2 Corinthians 7:1 x2, Phillippians 2:12 x3, 1 Thessalonians 2:8  and fellowlabourer(Romans 16:3 x3, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 1:24 x2, Phillipians 2:25 x2)

2 And to our beloved (TR*) (Romans 1:7 x7, 1 Corinthians 4:14 x4, 2 Corinthians 7:1 x2, Phillippians 2:12 x3, 1 Thessalonians 2:8) Sister (CT*) (Romans 16:1 x2, 1 Corinthians 7:15 x2) Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier,(Philippians 2:25)  and to the church (Romans 16:1 x5, 1 Corinthians 1:2 x22, 2 Corinthians 1:1 x9, Galatians 1:2 x3, Phillipians 3:6 x2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1 x2, 2 Thessalonians 1:1 x2, Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 1:16, x4, in thy house:

3 Grace (Romans 1:5 x26, 1 Corinthians 1:3 x10, 2 Corinthians 1:2 x18, Galatians 1:3 x7, Philippians 1:2 x2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1 x2, 2 Thessalonians 1:2 x4)  to you, and peace (Romans 1:7 x10, 1 Corinthians 1:3 x4, 2 Corinthians 1:2 x2, Galatians 1:3 x3, Philippians 1:2 x3, 1 Thessalonians 1:1 x3, 2 Thessalonians 1:2 x3) , from God our Father (phrase)(Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3 Philippians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2 and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phrase)(Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Philippians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2

4 I thank(Romans 1:8,  1 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:3)  my God,  making mention (Romans 1:9, Philippians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2 x2  of thee always  (Romans 1:10, 1 Corinthians 1:4 x2, 2 Corinthians 2:14 x4, Galatians 4:18, Philippians 1:4 x4, 1 Thessalonians 1:2 x6 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x3 in my prayers,  (Romans 1:10 x3, 1 Corinthians 7:5, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:2

5 Hearing of thy love (Romans 5:5 x9, 1 Corinthians 4:21 x14, 2 Corinthians 2:4, x9, Galatians 5:6 x3, Philippians 1:9 x4, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 x5, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x3,)  and faith, (Romans 1:5 x40, 1 Corinthians 2:5 x7, 2 Corinthians 1:24 x7, Galatians 1:23 x22, Philippians 1:25 x5 1 Thessalonians 1:3 x8, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x5) which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; (Romans 1:2 x20, 1 Corinthians 1:2 x12, 2 Corinthains 1:1 x8, Philippians 1:1 x3, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 x5, 2 Thessalonians 1:10

6 That the communication(Romans 15:26, 1 Corinthians 1:9 x 3, 2 Corinthians 6:14 x4, Galatians2:9, Philippians 1:9 x3,  of thy faith (Romans 1:5 x40, 1 Corinthians 2:5 x7, 2 Corinthians 1:24 x7, Galatians 1:23 x22, Philippians 1:25 x5 1 Thessalonians 1:3 x8, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x5) may become effectual (1 Corinthians 16:9)  by the acknowledging (Romans 1:28 x3, Philippians 1:9, of every good (Romans 2:7 x21, 2 Corinthians 5:10 x2, Galatians 6:6 x2, Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 3:6 x2, 2 Thessalonians 2:16 x2)  thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great (Romans 3:2 x21, 1 Corinthians 1:26 x18, 2 Corinthians 1:11 x14) joy (Romans 14:17 x3, 2 Corinthians 1:24 x5, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 1:4 x5, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 x4,)  and consolation (Romans 12:8 x3, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 2 Corinthians 1:3 x11, Phillipians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:16,) in thy love, (Romans 5:5 x9, 1 Corinthians 4:21 x14, 2 Corinthians 2:4, x9, Galatians 5:6 x3, Philippians 1:9 x4, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 x5, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x3,) because the bowels (2 Corinthians 6:12 x2, Philippians 1:8 x2, of the saints (Romans 1:2 x20, 1 Corinthians 1:2 x12, 2 Corinthains 1:1 x8, Philippians 1:1 x3, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 x5, 2 Thessalonians 1:10) are refreshed (1 Coeinthians 16:18, 2 Corinthians 7:13,) by thee, brother. (Rom 1:13 x19 , 1 Corinthians 1:1 38,  2 Corinthians 1:1 x12, Galatians 1;2 x11, Philippians 1:12 x 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 x 19, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x9)

8 Wherefore (Romans 1:24 x6, 1 Corinthians 12:3 x2, 2 Corinthians 1:20 x9, Galatians 4:31, Philippians 2:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:1 x2)  though I might be much bold (2 Corinthians 3:12 x2, Philippians 1:20,  in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient

9 Yet for love’s (Romans 5:5 x9, 1 Corinthians 4:21 x14, 2 Corinthians 2:4, x9, Galatians 5:6 x3, Philippians 1:9 x4, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 x5, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x3,) sake I rather (Romans 5:9 x8, 1 Corinthians 5:2 x10, 2 Corinthians 2:7 x8, Galatians 4:9 x2, Philippians 1:9 x6, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 x2)  beseech (Romans 12:1 x4, 1 Corinthians 1:10  thee, being such an one (Romans 1:32 x4, 1 Corinthians 5:1 x10, 2 Corinthians 2:6 x10 Gamaltians 5:21 x3, Philippians 2:29, 2 Thessalonians 3:12,  as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech (Romans 12:1 x4, 1 Corinthians 1:10 ) thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten  (Romans 9:11, 1 Corinthians 4:15, Galatians 4:23 x3 , in my bonds: (Philippians 1:7 x4) 

11 Which in time past (Romans 1:10 x3, 1 Corinthians 9:7, Galatians 1:13 x4, Philippians 4:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:5 was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive (TR*) (Romans 14:1 x4 him, that is, mine own bowels:(2 Corinthians 6:12 x2, Philippians 1:8 x2,

13 Whom I would ((1 Corinthians 12:11, 2 Corinthians 1:15 x2, Philippians 1:12,))  have retained (Romans 1:18 x2, 1 Corinthians 7:30 x3, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Thessalonians 2:6 x2)  with me (Romans 11:4 , 1 Corinthians 4:3 x6, 2 Corinthians 2:1 x4, Galatians 2:18, Philippians 3:13 that in thy stead (Romans 1:5 x17, 1 Corinthians  1:13 x10, 2 Corinthians 1:6 x36, Galatians 1:4 x4, Philippians 1:4 x7, 1 Thessalonians 3:2 x4 2 Thessalonians 1:4 x3) he might have ministered (Romans 15:25, 2 Corinthians 3:3 x3)  unto me in the bonds (Philippians 1:7 x4) of the gospel:(Romans 1:1 x9, 1 Corinthians 4:15  x8, 2 Corinthians 2:12 x8, Galatians 1:6 x7, Philippians 1:5  x9 (1 Thessalonians 1:5 x6, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 x2) 

14 But without (Romans 3:21 x6, 1 Corinthians 4:8 x3, 2 Corinthians 11:28 x2, Philippians 2:14)  thy mind( 1 Corinthians 1:10  x3, 2 Corinthians 8:10) would (Romans 1:13 x15, 1 Corinthians 4:19 x17, 2 Corinthians 1:8 x8, Galatians 1:7 x9, Philippians 2:13, 1 thessalonians 2:18 x2, 2 Thessalonians 3:10)  I do nothing (Romans 8:1 x4, 1 Corinthians 1:14 x19, 2 Corinthians 5:16 x8, Galatians 2:6 x8 Philippians 1:20 x3) ; that thy benefit (Romans 2:7 x21, 2 Corinthians 5:10 x2, Galatians 6:6 x2, Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 3:6 x2, 2 Thessalonians 2:16 x2)  should not be as it were of necessity, (Romans 13:5, 1 Corinthians 7:26 x3, 2 Corinthians 6:4 x3, 1 Thessalonians 3:7) but willingly.

15 For perhaps (Romans 5:7)  he therefore departed (Romans 8:35 x2, 1 Corinthians 7:10 x4)  for a season (Romans 13:11, 1 Corinthians 4:11 x2, 2 Corinthians 7:8, Galatians 2:5, 1Thessalonians 2:17) , that thou shouldest receive (Philippians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 x2)  him for ever; (Romans 2:7 x6, 2 Corinthians 4:17 x3, Galatians 6:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:9 x2) 

16 Not now (Romans 6:9 x9, 2 Corinthians 1:23 x2, Galatians 2:20 x4,)  as a servant (Romans 1:1 x7, 1 Corinthians 7:21 x5, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Galatians 1:10 x4, Philippians 1:1 x2), but above a servant,(Romans 1:1 x7, 1 Corinthians 7:21 x5, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Galatians 1:10 x4, Philippians 1:1 x2)  a brother ((Romans 1:13 x19 , 1 Corinthians 1:1 38,  2 Corinthians 1:1 x12, Galatians 1;2 x11, Philippians 1:12 x 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 x 19, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x9,)  beloved(Romans 1:7 x7, 1 Corinthians 4:14 x4, 2 Corinthians 7:1 x2, Phillippians 2:12 x3, 1 Thessalonians 2:8 , specially (Galatians 6:10,  Philippians 4:22)  to me, but how much ((Romans 11:12 x2, 2 Corinthians 7:11,) more (Romans 5:9 x8, 1 Corinthians 5:2 x10, 2 Corinthians 2:7 x8, Galatians 4:9 x2, Philippians 1:9 x6, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 x2) unto thee, both in the flesh (Romans 1:3 x27, 1 Corinthians 1:26 x11, 2 Corinthians 1:17 x11, Garlatians 1:16 x18, Philippians 1;22 x5) , and in the Lord? 

17 If thou count me therefore a partner, (1 Corinthians 10:18 x2, 2 Corinthians 1:7 x2)  receive (Romans 14:1 x4  him as myself.

18 If he hath wronged  (1 Corinthians 6:7 x2, 2 Corinthians 7:2 x3, Galatians 4:12, thee, or oweth (Romans 13:8 x3, 1 Corinthians 5:10 x5, 2 Corinthians 12:11 x2, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x2)  thee ought, put that on mine account; (Romans 5:13)

19 I Paul have written (Romans 1:17 x21, 1 Corinthians 1:19 x18, 2 Corinthians 1:13 x10, Galatians 1:20 x7, Philippians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:9 x2, 2 Thessalonians 3:17)  it with mine own hand (Romans 10:21, 1 Corinthians 4:12 x4, 2 Corinthians 11:33, Galatians 3:19 x2, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:17) , I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self (Romans 2:1 x6, Galatians 5:14 x2)  besides.

20 Yea (Romans 3:29, 2 Corinthians 1:17 x6, Philippians 4:3), brother (Romans 1:13 x19, 1 Corinthians 1:1 38,  2 Corinthians 1:1 x12, Galatians 1;2 x11, Philippians 1:12 x 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 x 19, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 x9,) , let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh ( 1 Corinthians 16:18, 2 Corinthians 7:13) my bowels (2 Corinthians 6:12 x2, Philippians 1:8 x2)  in the Lord.

21 Having confidence (Romans 2:8 x5, 2 Corinthians 1:9 x4, Galatians 1:10 x3, Philippians 1:6 x6, 2 Thessalonians 3:4)  in thy obedience (Romans 1:5 x7, 2 Corinthians 7:15 x3)  I wrote (Romans 1:17 x21, 1 Corinthians 1:19 x18, 2 Corinthians 1:13 x10, Galatians 1:20 x7, Philippians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:9 x2, 2 Thessalonians 3:17) unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 But withal(Romans 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:17 x2)  prepare (1 Corinthians 2:9,  me also a lodging: for I trust (Romans 8:24 x4, 1 Corinthians 13:7 x3, 2 Corinthians 1:10 x5, Philippians 2:19) that through your prayers (Romans 1:10 x3, 1 Corinthians 7:5, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:2)  I shall be given (Romans 8:32, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 2:7 x5, Galatians 3:18, Philippians 1:29 x2) unto you. 

23 There salute (Romans 16:3 x21, 1 Corinthians 16:19 x4, 2 Corinthians 13:12 x2, Philippians 4:21 x3, 1 Thessalonians 5:26) thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner (Romans 16:7) in Christ Jesus;

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.(Romans 16:3 x3, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 1:24 x2, Philippians 2:25 x2, 1 Thessalonians 3:2) 

25 The grace (Romans 1:5 x26, 1 Corinthians 1:3 x10, 2 Corinthians 1:2 x18, Galatians 1:3 x7, Philippians 1:2 x2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1 x2, 2 Thessalonians 1:2 x4) of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Romans 1:25 x6, 1 Corinthians 14:16 x2, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Galatians 1:5 x2, Philippians 4:20 x2, 1 thessalonians 3:13 x2, 2 Thessalonians 3:18) 

Key

RED Bold = Exact form of word used in at least one of the uncontested books
Red = Same word used (not exact form) in at least one of the uncontested books
Blue = Worf not used in any of the uncontested books
Green = Regular vocabulary Including names.
(Romans 1:1 etc) = First usage of the word in any particular book
x2 etc = How many times in total the word is used in any particular book
(TR*) = Textus receptus reading
(CT*) Critical text NA/UBS

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