The Book of Philemon
Introduction
The Book of Philemon is the eighteenth book of the New Testament of the Bible. It is one of the Prison Epistles (like Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians). It was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome. This brief book is about a slave and a slave owner. The Book of Philemon is the shortest of all Paul’s epistles and deals with the practice of slavery. Philemon is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.
The Book of Philemon shows that Philemon was a believing Christian. He was probably a wealthy slave owner and a resident of Colosse. His house is a meeting for the church (Philemon 1:2).
In the Book of Philemon, Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who had stolen from his master and ran away (Philemon 1:18). He fled to Rome, where he met Paul, and there he responded to the Good News and came to faith in Christ (Philemon 1:10). Then, Paul writes to Philemon, describing that he is sending him back, not just as a slave but as a fellow brother (Philemon 1:11-12, Philemon 1:16). He offered to pay for whatever Onesimus owed (Philemon 1:18). He respectfully asks Philemon to accept and forgive his servant (Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:14-15, Philemon 1:20).
The Book of Philemon tells us that Onesimus was with Paul in the ministry after he became a Christian in Rome. Onesimus means useful. Before Onesimus ran away, he had not been much use to Philemon, but after coming to faith in Christ, he was very useful to both Philemon and Paul.
In this short book, Paul urged Philemon to be reconciled to Onesimus. By doing that, both reestablish their relationships. Paul did not condemn slavery in his letter, but he worked to transform relationships through the preaching of the gospel.
Vital Statistics
Author
The author of the Book of Philemon was the apostle Paul (Philemon 1:1).
Date Written
The Book of Philemon was written somewhere around A.D. 60.
Purpose of Writing
In the Book of Philemon, Paul was writing to a slave owner named Philemon, who was a brother in Christ. Philemon probably became a Christian during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (A.D. 52-55). He had a slave named Onesimus, who escaped from Colosse to Rome. Before he escaped to Rome, he had possibly robbed money from Philemon (Philemon 1:18). In Rome, he came in contact with Paul, and he led him to faith in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel (Philemon 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Now Onesimus was no longer merely a slave, he was also a brother (Philemon 1:16).
Paul wanted Philemon to consider Onesimus as a brother in Christ. Paul persuaded Philemon to be reconciled to his slave by receiving him as a brother and a member of God’s family. Therefore, the main purpose of the Book of Philemon is to convince Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and to accept him as a brother in Christ, not just as a slave.
To Whom Written
Philemon, a wealthy church member at Colosse.
Key Words
- Brother – Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:16, Philemon 1:20
- Love – Philemon 1:5, Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:9
- Beloved – Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:2, Philemon 1:16
- Faith – Philemon 1:5, Philemon 1:6
- Grace – Philemon 1:3, Philemon 1:25
- Servant – Philemon 1:16
Key People
Paul, Philemon, Onesimus
Key Places
Colosse, Rome
Setting
In Paul’s days, slavery was common in the Roman Empire, and it seems some Christians had slaves. Philemon, a wealthy Christian, owned a slave named Onesimus at Colosse. Onesimus left Colosse and ran away from his slave master to Rome. In Rome, he met Paul, and through his ministry, he became a Christian.
Afterward, Onesimus helped Paul in his ministry (Philemon 1:12-13). Then Paul sent him back to his slave owner. He carried Paul’s letter with him to Colosse. In the letter, Paul beseeches Philemon to receive him not as a mere slave, but as “a brother beloved” (Philemon 1:16). Furthermore, Paul assured Philemon to pay the debt on behalf of Onesimus if Onesimus had defrauded him anything (Philemon 1:18).
In the Book of Philemon, we see Paul did not condemn slavery in this writing, nor he opposes slavery, but he makes a profound statement by calling Philemon a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:16). This reveals Paul’s character and reflects his true Christian commitment.
Theme
In the Book of Philemon, Paul’s writing reveals the transformation of individual lives through the preaching of the gospel (Philemon 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Onesimus was profitable with Paul and helped him during the ministry. Formerly Onesimus was useless, but now he is useful.
The Epistle to Philemon is Paul’s plea to Philemon to receive Onesimus with kindness and accept him not only as a forgiven converted escaped slave but as a brother in Christ. Therefore, the theme of the Book of Philemon is forgiveness.
Key Themes
I. Forgiveness
In the Book of Philemon, Paul made a specific request to Philemon not to punish Onesimus, but to forgive him and receive him as a Christian brother. Paul also promised to pay Philemon on behalf of Onesimus if Onesimus had wronged him for anything (Philemon 1:18). Paul meant here to follow Christ’s law of forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).
II. Barriers
In the Book of Philemon, Paul did not oppose slavery. Slavery creates a great barrier between people. To overcome barriers between Christian brothers and sisters, we should let Christ work in our lives. Christian love and fellowship among brothers and sisters may help to remove barriers. Christ can break down any barriers.
III. Brotherly Love
The author of Hebrews says in 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.” In the Book of Philemon, Paul asked Philemon to consider Onesimus as a brother in Christ. He appealed Philemon to love Onesimus with brotherly affection. Paul genuinely loved Onesimus. He beseeches Philemon to do the same and restore the relationship with Onesimus.
IV. Reconciliation
In the Book of Philemon, Paul earnestly persuaded Philemon to be reconciled to his slave. He was asking Philemon to accept his slave back in a bond of friendship and reconciliation. Through reconciliation, both slave and slave master reestablish relationships. Just as Christ reconciled believers to God, Onesimus was reconciled to Philemon.
V. Respect
Paul was a companion to Philemon and Onesimus. He is the greatest apostle. He may have the authority to tell Philemon what to do with an escaped slave, but he pleads Philemon as his friend, to treat Onesimus in Christian love.
VI. Grace
Grace is a gift from God. We don’t deserve it and cannot earn it. It comes only from God’s mercy and love. Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another (John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:12, John 15:17). Peter and John also taught us to do the same (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:11, 1 John 4:12, 2 John 1:5). Paul requested Philemon to show the same kind of love with Onesimus (1 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:9).
VII. Equality
Before Christ, all believers are equal (Galatians 3:28). In Christ, there is no difference. When Onesimus became a believer, Paul requested Philemon to consider him as a brother in Christ. Now both Philemon and Onesimus are equal in God’s family.
Key Verses
Philemon 1:6 (KJV)
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
Philemon 1:15-16 (KJV)
“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”
Philemon 1:17-19 (KJV)
“If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.”
Outline of The Book of Philemon
I. Salutation – Philemon 1:1-3
A. The Introduction of the Letter (Philemon 1:1-2)
B. Greeting (Philemon 1:3)
II. Paul’s Prayer For Philemon – Philemon 1:4-7
III. Paul’s Request And Appeal For Onesimus – Philemon 1:8-22
A. Paul’s plea (Philemon 1:8-9)
B. Onesimus his son in the gospel (Philemon 1:10)
C. Onesimus was once unprofitable, now profitable (Philemon 1:11)
D. Onesimus could be received with love (Philemon 1:12)
E. Paul wished to retain Onesimus with him, but not without Philemon’s consent (Philemon 1:13-14)
F. Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother beloved, not as a mere slave (Philemon 1:15-16)
G. Receive Onesimus as you would receive me (Philemon 1:17)
H. Receive Onesimus as you would receive me (Philemon 1:18-22)
1. Any loss sustained, “put that on mine account; I will repay it.” (Philemon 1:18-19)
2. Paul’s confidence in Philemon’s obedience (Philemon 1:20-21)
3. Paul’s plan to visit Philemon (Philemon 1:22)
IV. Final Salutation of Paul – Philemon 1:23-25
Brief Summary
In the Book of Philemon, Paul was writing to a wealthy slave owner named Philemon (Philemon 1:1). Philemon means “affectionate.” Philemon became a believer under Paul’s ministry, and the Colossian church met in his home (Philemon 1:2). He owned a slave named Onesimus, who fled to Rome, where he met Paul and became a Christian (Philemon 1:10).
Onesimus helped Paul in his ministry (Philemon 1:11). He was useless to Philemon in the past but now was useful to both Philemon and Paul. Then, Paul writes to Philemon to receive him as a brother beloved, not as a mere slave (Philemon 1:16). Next, Paul assured to pay the money to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus if Onesimus had robbed anything (Philemon 1:18). Furthermore, in the Book of Philemon, Paul’s desire to Philemon is to reestablish the relationship between him and Onesimus.
5 Great Lessons From The Book of Philemon
I. Life Application
From the Book of Philemon, Paul gives us so many lessons to learn and apply in our Christian lives. In this brief book, Paul shows us the Christ-like character that we should all employ as God’s people.
II. Learn To Be humble
At the beginning of the Book of Philemon, Paul addressed himself as a simple prisoner of Jesus Christ. Paul was the greatest apostle, yet he humbled himself before both others and God. We are to humble ourselves in the eyes of God. We should not let pride enter our lives. God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
III. Keep Doing God Works
Paul continued to do the work of God until he was martyred. He lived a life pleasing to God. We should live for Christ from the day we get saved until the day Christ takes us home. We must keep doing what God wants us to do until we die.
IV. The Gospel Is The Solution
Onesimus was with Philemon for an unknown number of years. Paul praised Philemon for his love toward all the saints (Philemon 1:5). Philemon became a believer through the ministry of Paul. Before Onesimus became a believer, he was useless. Probably he never listened to his master’s teachings. After meeting Paul in Rome, he came to faith in Christ. Paul is appealing to Philemon to reconcile his slave.
The gospel is for all, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We see clearly in the Book of Philemon, after receiving good news, Onesimus became useful both to Paul and Philemon.
V. Law of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the first step in restoring the relationship. It is the key to our relationship with God. Jesus forgave his disciples and murders (Matthew 28:10; Luke 23:34). When Onesimus escaped to Rome, he would have robbed Philemon’s money or property. Paul guaranteed Philemon to repay the debt owed by himself. With that in mind, he hoped that Philemon would accept Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness. We are to forgive one another just as God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).
Conclusion
The Book of Philemon is small, and it teaches many lessons. In this personal letter from Paul, we can learn true humility. God changed the relationship of Philemon with Onesimus by receiving him not just a slave, but as a fellow brother. Paul received the runaway slave and made him profitable.
This little book teaches the doctrine of forgiveness. God forgives us out of His mercy. Christians should have a spirit of forgiveness. Christ can transform anybody from hopeless relationships into deeper relationships through the power of the gospel.