03.57. Philemon

Walking Thru The Bible

PHILEMON

Date. This letter was sent to Philemon about AD 62 at the same time that letters were sent to the Colossians and Ephesians (Php 1:10, Philemon 1:13; Colossians 1:1-9; Ephesians 1:1 ff). Paul was still a prisoner in Rome and this group of letters was written while there (along with the one to the Philippians). Onesimus and Tychicus were the bearers of the letter to the Colossians (Colossians 4:7-9) and Tychicus the bearer of the one to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21) while Onesimus bears this letter to Philemon (Philemon 1:10).

Personal character of the Epistle. There is no great doctrinal matter involved nor is it addressed to a church. But it is a delightful picture of domestic life among Christians in a little community in Asia Minor. A family group. Apphia seems to be the wife of Philemon and Archippus is their son (Philemon 1:1 ff). Their home was used as a meeting place for the church in Colossae (Philemon 1:2). The possession of slaves did not necessarily indicate great wealth, unless their number was considerable. This family probably came to know and love Paul during his work at Ephesus (Acts 10:10).

Onesimus. He had a good name ("profitable") but had not lived up to it (Philemon 1:10), he was a runaway slave. In Rome, a favorite resort for runaway slaves, he had been converted to Christ by Paul. Paul calls him his "child" and "a brother beloved" (Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:16).

Return of Onesimus. Paul acknowledges Philemon’s legal claim on his slave Onesimus, and so sends him back but with a pleas for Philemon to voluntarily return him to help Paul (Philemon 1:8-14). Paul speaks highly of Onesimus’ Christian character and pleads for his reception on that basis and offers to repay what financial losses Philemon may have suffered when his servant ran away.

Christian slaves. Slavery had its grip on the Roman empire. These slaves were not all lower class people by any means. Many of them were captives of war. Some of them were persons of real culture and distinction. The conversion of slaves to Christ often put the master and slave in the same church. No where does Paul show more consummate skill than in the handling of such a subject in this Epistle.

Gradual emancipation. Paul saw in Christianity a spirit of love for Christian slaves as men and brethren which had in it the seeds of destruction of human slavery. This leaven of freedom has worked through the ages, and the Epistle to Philemon is a charter of freedom.

Christian courtesy. Being a Christian includes showing a gracious courtesy toward all men. Paul did not rail at Philemon but gently persuades and pleads with him.