Paul's Letter to Philemon
Background Information
This letter was written by Paul from prison in Rome.
As we’ve learned in our previous looks at Ephesians and Colossians (and soon Philippians), Paul wrote these four letters during his first imprisonment in Rome, as he awaited his trial before Caesar under house arrest. This letter was delivered to Philemon by Tychicus, who also carried Paul’s letters to Ephesus and Colosse at the same time.
Paul wrote to a man named Philemon.
Like Paul’s eventual letters to Timothy (2x) and Titus (1x), he wrote this letter to an individual rather than to a church or group of churches. Paul wrote this letter with his own hand and not through an amanuensis, i.e., secretary (1:19). In the letter, he describes Philemon as his “beloved brother” (1:1) and “fellow worker” (1:24), indicating a close relationship between them. Philemon, who lived in Colosse, probably came to know Paul during the latter’s prior extensive and impactful ministry in Ephesus. Philemon was likely a member of the church at Colosse, or else some other church in the Lycus River Valley near Colosse, Laodicea, or Hierapolis (Col 4:12-15).
The general theme of this epistle is “Reconciliation of Brethren.”
Paul wrote this letter with a very personal and specific purpose in mind: he intended to bring about reconciliation between two parties, one being Philemon and the other being a man named Onesimus (Col 4:9). Onesimus had been a former slave of Philemon who had run away to Rome, and possibly stolen money or resources from Philemon, as well (1:18). While in Rome, he met Paul and – as a result – believed on Christ.
Since Onesimus had believed on Christ, Paul encouraged him to return to Onesimus, which he did by traveling with Tychicus on his journey to deliver Paul’s letters to Ephesus, Laodicea, and Colosse. By doing so, he had directed Onesimus to return to his former master for reconciliation. But in the body of this letter (of which Onesimus likely would have been unaware), Paul urged Philemon to be gracious and merciful in forgiving Onesimus rather than to exact severe penalties for the crime and offense which he had committed (1:10).
A key concept or premise of this letter is that followers of Christ, when offenses arise between them, should seek reconciliation because of their close relationship with one another through Christ. Paul refers to “sharing” (fellowship) between believers (1:6) and then being a close partner (also fellowship) (1:17) as the underlying basis for his appeal.
Regarding the matter of slavery, it is fascinating that neither Paul (nor any other NT writer) argued outright for the manumission of slaves or the abolishment of slavery. Rather than take an activist or political approach, Paul and other leading Christian influencers promoted a theological, practical, and relationship mindset and approach which would eventually argue for the end of slavery on its own. This mindset and approach emphasized spiritual equality in and under Christ as well as relational equality between believers, whether master or slave (Eph 6:5-9, Col 3:22–4:1).
This careful approach afforded social benefits, for it guarded the church against the harmful perception of being a socially rebellious, insubordinate, revolutionary institution. It also afforded economic benefits for slaves, since slaves who were released outright to freedom would have faced many difficult challenges establishing and caring for themselves and their families; but slaves who remained as such but received excellent, superior care and treatment from their masters afforded them the best of both worlds.
Summary Outline
This letter provides a terrific example of persuasive writing and mediation. In writing this letter, Paul utilized what we may call the “sandwich method,” prefacing and following his potentially controversial request with kind and encouraging words both before and after.
It’s fascinating to observe that though this letter was a private exchange between Paul and Philemon, containing no instructions or requirement to make it public, the letter still became a public document for all to read. Minus any maneuvering on the part of others (such as Onesimus), it seems most likely that Philemon himself revealed the contents of this letter to the church, which indicates that he responded favorably to Paul’s request with no reservations.
By doing so, Philemon ensured that other Christian slave owners would consider responding similarly to their slaves as this letter urged Philemon to do towards Onesimus. It also encourages all believers who have been offended to consider responding to their own repentant offenders in a similar way.
1. Paul introduces himself and greets his audience (1-3)
Though, technically, the audience of this letter is both singular and private, to Philemon (“you” throughout this letter is singular), Paul cleverly implies here that the letter is not entirely private. He acknowledges that Timothy was also familiar with this letter, while also indicating that he hoped the letter would also be read to Archippus and the other members of Philemon’s church family. Philemon, it seems, hosted his church’s gatherings in his house.
2. Paul praises Philemon and prepares for his request (4-7)
In this section of the letter, Paul established a good rapport with Philemon by acknowledging certain actions and qualities in Philemon’s life which he hoped would incline Philemon to respond favorably to Paul’s request.
3. Paul makes his request to Philemon (8-16)
In this section, Paul presents his request to Philemon and provides a variety of reasons why Philemon should honor it. His request was for Philemon to “receive him” back again (1:12). To strengthen this request, Paul offers a variety of reasons.
Can you imagine being Philemon and hearing these reasons for forgiving, restoring, and treating Onesimus well? How would you want to respond?
4. Paul doubles down on his request to Philemon (1:17-22)
In this section, Paul not only reaffirms and restates his request, but he both amplifies (or expands) the request and expresses his confidence that Philemon would respond even better than desired. Further, by requesting a room in a future visit, Paul hints at the possibility of future accountability, for if Paul would come for a visit to Philemon’s house, he would also find out firsthand whether Philemon had honored his request or not.
5. Paul offers a brief farewell (23-25)
In these closing words, Paul implies that additional people besides him and Timothy also knew what this letter contained, indicating that the letter was already not so private as it seemed. By naming Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke as fellow laborers “saying hi,” he leaves open the possibility that these men also knew of and supported Paul’s request. In this way, Paul adds an additional layer of accountability for Philemon to respond well.
With all of this in mind, Paul’s closing prayer that “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” seems most appropriate. Philemon would certainly need God’s grace to do what Paul had asked after being treated as Onesimus had done. Would you have been willing to forgive Onesimus in this way?
This letter was written by Paul from prison in Rome.
As we’ve learned in our previous looks at Ephesians and Colossians (and soon Philippians), Paul wrote these four letters during his first imprisonment in Rome, as he awaited his trial before Caesar under house arrest. This letter was delivered to Philemon by Tychicus, who also carried Paul’s letters to Ephesus and Colosse at the same time.
Paul wrote to a man named Philemon.
Like Paul’s eventual letters to Timothy (2x) and Titus (1x), he wrote this letter to an individual rather than to a church or group of churches. Paul wrote this letter with his own hand and not through an amanuensis, i.e., secretary (1:19). In the letter, he describes Philemon as his “beloved brother” (1:1) and “fellow worker” (1:24), indicating a close relationship between them. Philemon, who lived in Colosse, probably came to know Paul during the latter’s prior extensive and impactful ministry in Ephesus. Philemon was likely a member of the church at Colosse, or else some other church in the Lycus River Valley near Colosse, Laodicea, or Hierapolis (Col 4:12-15).
The general theme of this epistle is “Reconciliation of Brethren.”
Paul wrote this letter with a very personal and specific purpose in mind: he intended to bring about reconciliation between two parties, one being Philemon and the other being a man named Onesimus (Col 4:9). Onesimus had been a former slave of Philemon who had run away to Rome, and possibly stolen money or resources from Philemon, as well (1:18). While in Rome, he met Paul and – as a result – believed on Christ.
Since Onesimus had believed on Christ, Paul encouraged him to return to Onesimus, which he did by traveling with Tychicus on his journey to deliver Paul’s letters to Ephesus, Laodicea, and Colosse. By doing so, he had directed Onesimus to return to his former master for reconciliation. But in the body of this letter (of which Onesimus likely would have been unaware), Paul urged Philemon to be gracious and merciful in forgiving Onesimus rather than to exact severe penalties for the crime and offense which he had committed (1:10).
A key concept or premise of this letter is that followers of Christ, when offenses arise between them, should seek reconciliation because of their close relationship with one another through Christ. Paul refers to “sharing” (fellowship) between believers (1:6) and then being a close partner (also fellowship) (1:17) as the underlying basis for his appeal.
Regarding the matter of slavery, it is fascinating that neither Paul (nor any other NT writer) argued outright for the manumission of slaves or the abolishment of slavery. Rather than take an activist or political approach, Paul and other leading Christian influencers promoted a theological, practical, and relationship mindset and approach which would eventually argue for the end of slavery on its own. This mindset and approach emphasized spiritual equality in and under Christ as well as relational equality between believers, whether master or slave (Eph 6:5-9, Col 3:22–4:1).
This careful approach afforded social benefits, for it guarded the church against the harmful perception of being a socially rebellious, insubordinate, revolutionary institution. It also afforded economic benefits for slaves, since slaves who were released outright to freedom would have faced many difficult challenges establishing and caring for themselves and their families; but slaves who remained as such but received excellent, superior care and treatment from their masters afforded them the best of both worlds.
Summary Outline
This letter provides a terrific example of persuasive writing and mediation. In writing this letter, Paul utilized what we may call the “sandwich method,” prefacing and following his potentially controversial request with kind and encouraging words both before and after.
It’s fascinating to observe that though this letter was a private exchange between Paul and Philemon, containing no instructions or requirement to make it public, the letter still became a public document for all to read. Minus any maneuvering on the part of others (such as Onesimus), it seems most likely that Philemon himself revealed the contents of this letter to the church, which indicates that he responded favorably to Paul’s request with no reservations.
By doing so, Philemon ensured that other Christian slave owners would consider responding similarly to their slaves as this letter urged Philemon to do towards Onesimus. It also encourages all believers who have been offended to consider responding to their own repentant offenders in a similar way.
1. Paul introduces himself and greets his audience (1-3)
Though, technically, the audience of this letter is both singular and private, to Philemon (“you” throughout this letter is singular), Paul cleverly implies here that the letter is not entirely private. He acknowledges that Timothy was also familiar with this letter, while also indicating that he hoped the letter would also be read to Archippus and the other members of Philemon’s church family. Philemon, it seems, hosted his church’s gatherings in his house.
2. Paul praises Philemon and prepares for his request (4-7)
In this section of the letter, Paul established a good rapport with Philemon by acknowledging certain actions and qualities in Philemon’s life which he hoped would incline Philemon to respond favorably to Paul’s request.
3. Paul makes his request to Philemon (8-16)
In this section, Paul presents his request to Philemon and provides a variety of reasons why Philemon should honor it. His request was for Philemon to “receive him” back again (1:12). To strengthen this request, Paul offers a variety of reasons.
- First, he offers an ethical reason: it is appropriate for him to do so as a Christian (1:8).
- Second, he offers a relational reason: the one making this request was someone with whom Philemon experienced mutual friendship and love, who was also an elder to him and a prisoner due to Christian service; this one, Paul, also had a close relationship to Onesimus, the offending party (1:9-10).
- Third, he offers a practical reason: Onesimus could now be beneficial to Philemon, far more than he had been previously (1:10).
- Fourth, he offers a social reason: though he had considered keeping Onesimus with him, he had chosen to honor social norms and etiquette by entrusting reconciliation to Philemon rather than circumventing, preempting, or presuming his role and response (1:11-14).
- Fifth, he offers a providential reason: though Onesimus had fled from Philemon in what seemed to be an unfortunate and wrong decision, God seemed to have a good and superior reason for permitting these things to occur (1:15-16)
Can you imagine being Philemon and hearing these reasons for forgiving, restoring, and treating Onesimus well? How would you want to respond?
4. Paul doubles down on his request to Philemon (1:17-22)
In this section, Paul not only reaffirms and restates his request, but he both amplifies (or expands) the request and expresses his confidence that Philemon would respond even better than desired. Further, by requesting a room in a future visit, Paul hints at the possibility of future accountability, for if Paul would come for a visit to Philemon’s house, he would also find out firsthand whether Philemon had honored his request or not.
5. Paul offers a brief farewell (23-25)
In these closing words, Paul implies that additional people besides him and Timothy also knew what this letter contained, indicating that the letter was already not so private as it seemed. By naming Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke as fellow laborers “saying hi,” he leaves open the possibility that these men also knew of and supported Paul’s request. In this way, Paul adds an additional layer of accountability for Philemon to respond well.
With all of this in mind, Paul’s closing prayer that “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” seems most appropriate. Philemon would certainly need God’s grace to do what Paul had asked after being treated as Onesimus had done. Would you have been willing to forgive Onesimus in this way?
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