Philemon the briefest of Paul’s letters is on the surface little more than just a note to a friend. In form it is an ancient letter but highly personal and a model of courtesy, discretion, and loving concern. A little masterpiece of grace, courtesy, exquisite tact and even some might say playful wit.
Author
The epistle itself not only claims Paul as its author, but that he wrote it with his own hand (Philem. 1, 19). Three times in the letter he identifies himself. (Philem. 1, 9, 19). Furthermore, there has been a church history and a consistent tradition supporting Paul’s authorship of this letter.
Recipients
When Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison. He repeatedly refers to his chains (Philem. 1, 9,10, 13, 23). It was no doubt written and sent around the same time as Colossians, that is, in 61 AD. Philemon was addressed to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that met in Philemon’s house. Philemon was a Christian who lived in the city of Colossae and owned the house where the Colossian church met. He had a slave, Onesimus, who had stolen some of Philemon's goods and escaped to Rome in search of a new life of freedom. In Rome Onesimus happened to meet Paul and was converted (Philem 10). Onesimus knew that since he was now a Christian, he should correct the wrong he had done and return to his master, but he was understandably fearful. Paul, however, knew Philemon well, for Philemon also had been converted through the work of the apostle (Phil 19). Paul therefore wrote this letter to Philemon, asking him to forgive the runaway slave and receive him back as a brother in Christ. Not only was Philemon to welcome Onesimus back personally, but the church was to welcome him as a new and useful addition to its fellowship (Phil 17; Colossians 4:9).
Message
It would be tempting to conclude that the subject of Philemon is the return of a runaway slave. No doubt, the substance of the story is slavery, but that is not the subject. The subject of Philemon is love, Christian love. Paul not only thanked God for Philemon’s love, but it is a major emphasis of his thanksgiving (Phil. 5-7). His appeal is based on love (Phil. 9). His request was a request to “receive him back” “forever” as “a beloved brother”). Also notice that in verse 7 “Your love has refreshed the heart of the saints.”
Paul requested that Philemon forgive and restore Onesimus, his runaway slave, as an illustration of Christian love. The message is as Christ loved us and paid for our sins and order that we might be forgiven, we should forgive others even if we to assume a real cost in doing this sometimes.
Structure
Philemon is a letter, an ancient letter, with all the customary parts.
I. Salutation 1-3
II. Thanksgiving 4-5
III. Prayer 6-7
IV. The Body of the Letter 8-22 (The Basis of Paul’s
Request being not a command but an act of love
V. Personal Greetings 23-24
VI. Benediction 25
Purposes
Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon. Slaves were chattels. Onesimus came from Phrygia, where slaves were considered the lowest of all slaves. He not only ran away, but apparently had stolen money stolen from his master when he made his escape. In Rome, he had come into contact with Paul, who led him to Christ (Phil. 10). Onesimus had now became a faithful brother (Col. 4:9), causing Paul to want to keep him around (Phil. 13), but Paul could not do that. Roman law said that Onesimus must go back. In addition, according to Roman law, a runaway slave merited severe punishment. Paul wanted to obey the law of the land but at the same time reconciling Philemon and Onesimus. Therefore, Paul requested that the runaway slave be received as a beloved brother and if there was any debt that it be put to Paul’s own account. Philemon works on two levels this is illustrated by the fact that this is not a private letter, it was addressed to others, including the whole church. The reason it was addressed in this way was to illustrate to the Christian love and forgiveness.
Summary:
Paul requested that Philemon forgive and restore Onesimus, his runaway slave, as an illustration of Christian love. As Christ loved us and paid for our sins in order that we might be forgiven, we should forgive others even if we must assume the cost.