Phile 1-3 | TNotes | STEP | Book of Philemon — Quick facts: Purpose: To encourage Philemon to welcome back his slave Onesimus, who had become a believer Author: Paul Date: Traditionally, AD 60–62, but possibly earlier, around AD 53–56 Setting: Written while Paul was in prison, after he had encountered Onesimus, who was seemingly a runaway slave of Philemon, a Christian leader in Colosse Book of Philemon — Overview: Setting A slave named Onesimus seems to have run away from his Christian master, Philemon. Philemon resided in Colosse, a small town in the Roman province of Asia (now western Turkey) about 120 miles (193 kilometers) east of Ephesus. When Onesimus ran away, he might have stolen some of his master’s things. Somehow Onesimus came into contact with Paul, who was in prison, and became a believer through Paul’s ministry. When Paul became aware that Onesimus was a runaway slave, he encouraged him to return to his master. Slavery was widespread in the Roman world and, by law, captured runaways had to be returned to their owners. They often faced severe punishment, such as whipping, branding, or execution, as an example to other slaves. However, Philemon was a well-respected Christian leader and a gracious, loving person. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon from prison and sent it with Onesimus to ensure a warm Christian welcome for the runaway on what might have been a rather fearful return to his master. The letter resembles a letter of recommendation and carries the full weight of Paul’s apostolic authority. We do not know what happened when Onesimus returned. Some fifty or sixty years later, however, in a letter written to the Christians at Ephesus by the Christian martyr Ignatius, the name Onesimus appears again, this time as the name of the highly-regarded bishop of the province of Asia. We cannot be sure it was the same person, but it is quite possible that, because of his close association with Paul, the young slave rose to prominence in the church and eventually became bishop of the entire province. Paul’s letter is a reminder that traditional class distinctions are of no significance in the church of Jesus Christ. Summary Paul encourages Philemon to treat Onesimus no longer simply as a slave but as a genuine brother in Christ. Using his traditional opening (1:1-3 ), Paul introduces himself, greets Philemon, his family, and the church that meets in their home, and invokes grace and peace upon them. Paul then thanks God for Philemon, especially for his trust in the Lord Jesus and the love he has shown to so many of God’s people (1:4-7 ). Paul then makes his appeal for Onesimus (1:8-22 ). Though formerly a runaway, Onesimus has now become a believer in Christ and has proven himself to be a changed person. Paul asks Philemon to be gracious and forgiving in welcoming his slave back. Paul’s real desire is for Onesimus to stay with him, to assist him in his ministry from prison. Although he has the apostolic authority to demand that Philemon release him for that purpose, he refuses to use that authority, desiring that such an expression of mercy come from Philemon himself and not be forced. But Paul clearly hints that Philemon should consider freeing his slave for the work of the Good News. The letter ends in a customary way (1:23-25 ). Paul sends greetings to Philemon from various Christians, then invokes the grace of Christ upon him and all those in his home. Occasion of Writing Though the traditional interpretation is that Onesimus was a runaway slave, other possibilities have been posed. For example, Onesimus might have been sent as a messenger to Paul, or he might have turned to Paul to mediate a problem that had arisen between him and his master. In reality, we do not know why he left his master’s home, but the traditional interpretation fits the letter well. Date and Place of Writing It is traditionally believed that Paul wrote the Prison Letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) when he was in prison in Rome ( AD 60–62 or about AD 64~65). It is also quite possible that these letters were written from Ephesus during an earlier imprisonment. See Ephesians Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing.” Meaning and Message This letter is a vivid illustration of the way that attitudes and relationships are transformed in Christ. Those who know Christ are to see people through the eyes of love and to express that love in their relationships with others. Paul’s appeal to Philemon reminds us that, as Christians, we must always be willing to forgive one another. No matter how much we have been wronged by others, we must be quick to give them a warm-hearted welcome and show them our acceptance and love. In the church of Christ, traditional social distinctions, such as the relationship between slave and master, must be transcended. We must show genuine love to all Christians, regardless of their economic or cultural status, education, ethnicity, or gender (see Gal 3:28 ; Col 3:11 ). Paul’s desire to reconcile Philemon and Onesimus is an example of such love. Many people have wondered why Paul did not explicitly call for Onesimus’s freedom or for the abolition of slavery as an institution. In the Roman world, slavery was widespread; it was an integral part of society, and the whole of society was built on it. Paul, like most early Christians, seems to have accepted the traditional structures of society, including slavery. The mission of the early Christians was not to overthrow the structures of society but to see people converted and built up in Christ. Proclaiming the Good News of salvation would result in lives and relationships being transformed by Christ within the fellowship of the church. Though Paul did not explicitly call for Onesimus’s release, he clearly hinted that he would like to see him freed for the work of the Good News. In his consistent emphasis on the importance of Christians living together in forgiveness and mutual love, he was planting the seeds that would one day result in the overthrow of slavery as an institution. Summary for Phlm 1:1-3: 1:1-3 Paul usually begins with a short introduction followed by greetings and the invocation of grace and peace . 1:1 Paul, a prisoner: It is traditionally thought that Paul was writing from prison in Rome, but it is also possible that he was writing earlier from Ephesus, much closer to Philemon’s home in Colosse (see Philemon Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing”). • Timothy was one of Paul’s closest co-workers (see profile for Timothy at end of chapter). • co-worker: Philemon was active in ministry for Christ.

a1:1-3►

b1:4-7►

c1:8-22►

d1:23-25►

eGal 3:28►

fCol 3:11►

g1:1-3►

h1:1►

i1:2►

jEph 6:10-17►

kCol 4:17►

lRom 16:5►

m1 Cor 16:19►

nCol 4:15►

o1:3►

p1:2►

qRom 5:1-2►

‏ Philemon 1-3

Book of Philemon — Quick facts:

Purpose: To encourage Philemon to welcome back his slave Onesimus, who had become a believer

Author: Paul

Date: Traditionally, AD 60–62, but possibly earlier, around AD 53–56

Setting: Written while Paul was in prison, after he had encountered Onesimus, who was seemingly a runaway slave of Philemon, a Christian leader in Colosse

Book of Philemon — Overview:

Setting
A slave named Onesimus seems to have run away from his Christian master, Philemon. Philemon resided in Colosse, a small town in the Roman province of Asia (now western Turkey) about 120 miles (193 kilometers) east of Ephesus. When Onesimus ran away, he might have stolen some of his master’s things. Somehow Onesimus came into contact with Paul, who was in prison, and became a believer through Paul’s ministry. When Paul became aware that Onesimus was a runaway slave, he encouraged him to return to his master.
Slavery was widespread in the Roman world and, by law, captured runaways had to be returned to their owners. They often faced severe punishment, such as whipping, branding, or execution, as an example to other slaves. However, Philemon was a well-respected Christian leader and a gracious, loving person. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon from prison and sent it with Onesimus to ensure a warm Christian welcome for the runaway on what might have been a rather fearful return to his master. The letter resembles a letter of recommendation and carries the full weight of Paul’s apostolic authority.
We do not know what happened when Onesimus returned. Some fifty or sixty years later, however, in a letter written to the Christians at Ephesus by the Christian martyr Ignatius, the name Onesimus appears again, this time as the name of the highly-regarded bishop of the province of Asia. We cannot be sure it was the same person, but it is quite possible that, because of his close association with Paul, the young slave rose to prominence in the church and eventually became bishop of the entire province. Paul’s letter is a reminder that traditional class distinctions are of no significance in the church of Jesus Christ.

Summary
Paul encourages Philemon to treat Onesimus no longer simply as a slave but as a genuine brother in Christ. Using his traditional opening (1:1-3 ^a), Paul introduces himself, greets Philemon, his family, and the church that meets in their home, and invokes grace and peace upon them. Paul then thanks God for Philemon, especially for his trust in the Lord Jesus and the love he has shown to so many of God’s people (1:4-7 ^b).
Paul then makes his appeal for Onesimus (1:8-22 ^c). Though formerly a runaway, Onesimus has now become a believer in Christ and has proven himself to be a changed person. Paul asks Philemon to be gracious and forgiving in welcoming his slave back. Paul’s real desire is for Onesimus to stay with him, to assist him in his ministry from prison. Although he has the apostolic authority to demand that Philemon release him for that purpose, he refuses to use that authority, desiring that such an expression of mercy come from Philemon himself and not be forced. But Paul clearly hints that Philemon should consider freeing his slave for the work of the Good News.
The letter ends in a customary way (1:23-25 ^d). Paul sends greetings to Philemon from various Christians, then invokes the grace of Christ upon him and all those in his home.

Occasion of Writing
Though the traditional interpretation is that Onesimus was a runaway slave, other possibilities have been posed. For example, Onesimus might have been sent as a messenger to Paul, or he might have turned to Paul to mediate a problem that had arisen between him and his master. In reality, we do not know why he left his master’s home, but the traditional interpretation fits the letter well.

Date and Place of Writing
It is traditionally believed that Paul wrote the Prison Letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) when he was in prison in Rome (AD 60–62 or about AD 64~65). It is also quite possible that these letters were written from Ephesus during an earlier imprisonment. See Ephesians Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing.”

Meaning and Message
This letter is a vivid illustration of the way that attitudes and relationships are transformed in Christ. Those who know Christ are to see people through the eyes of love and to express that love in their relationships with others.
Paul’s appeal to Philemon reminds us that, as Christians, we must always be willing to forgive one another. No matter how much we have been wronged by others, we must be quick to give them a warm-hearted welcome and show them our acceptance and love.
In the church of Christ, traditional social distinctions, such as the relationship between slave and master, must be transcended. We must show genuine love to all Christians, regardless of their economic or cultural status, education, ethnicity, or gender (see Gal 3:28 ^e; Col 3:11 ^f). Paul’s desire to reconcile Philemon and Onesimus is an example of such love.
Many people have wondered why Paul did not explicitly call for Onesimus’s freedom or for the abolition of slavery as an institution. In the Roman world, slavery was widespread; it was an integral part of society, and the whole of society was built on it. Paul, like most early Christians, seems to have accepted the traditional structures of society, including slavery. The mission of the early Christians was not to overthrow the structures of society but to see people converted and built up in Christ. Proclaiming the Good News of salvation would result in lives and relationships being transformed by Christ within the fellowship of the church.
Though Paul did not explicitly call for Onesimus’s release, he clearly hinted that he would like to see him freed for the work of the Good News. In his consistent emphasis on the importance of Christians living together in forgiveness and mutual love, he was planting the seeds that would one day result in the overthrow of slavery as an institution.

Summary for Phlm 1:1-3: 1:1-3 ^g Paul usually begins with a short introduction followed by greetings and the invocation of grace and peace. 1:1 ^h Paul, a prisoner: It is traditionally thought that Paul was writing from prison in Rome, but it is also possible that he was writing earlier from Ephesus, much closer to Philemon’s home in Colosse (see Philemon Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing”).

• Timothy was one of Paul’s closest co-workers (see profile for Timothy at end of chapter).

• co-worker: Philemon was active in ministry for Christ.
1:2 ⁱ This is not a private letter to Philemon alone but is addressed also to his family and church.

• Apphia was probably Philemon’s wife.

• soldier: The servant of Christ is involved in a war and must be prepared to stand firm in the face of opposition (Eph 6:10-17 ^j).

• Archippus was probably Philemon’s son (also mentioned in Col 4:17 ^k).

• the church that meets in your house: The early Christians met together in private homes (see also Rom 16:5 ^l; 1 Cor 16:19 ^m; Col 4:15 ⁿ).
1:3 ^o You is plural, referring to all those mentioned in 1:2 ^p.

• Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings, respectively; they are now understood as gifts from God (cp. Rom 5:1-2 ^q).