NEW TESTAMENT
PHILEMON
What is the book of Philemon about in the Bible? This letter to Philemon was written during one of Paul’s many imprisonments. It’s the shortest letter he ever wrote, but don’t let its size trick you. This is actually one of the most explosive things Paul ever composed.
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When Paul asks Philemon to forgive his runaway slave Onesimus, we see the Gospel in action. In the new humanity, we are all partners on equal footing.
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Context:​
The events described in Philemon take place in Asia-minor, close to Ephesus or Caesarea Philippi. Philemon was likely composed while Paul was in custody in Rome between 60 and 64 C.E.
Who Wrote the Book of Colossians? The book of Philemon is a letter written from Paul to Philemon.
Literary Styles: The book of Philemon is a letter written in prose discourse from Paul to Philemon.
Key Themes:
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Equality between followers of Jesus
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The gift of God’s love and grace
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Slavery and Jesus’ new humanity
Structure:
Philemon can be divided into three parts.
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Verses 1-7 open with a prayer of thanks.
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Verses 8-20 are a request of forgiveness and restoration for Onesimus, an enslaved person.
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And verses 1:21-25 include encouragements and greetings.
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Paul helps his friend Philemon reconcile with his escaped former slave Onesimus.
Paul urges Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him back as an equal. Because they are both followers of Jesus, God's grace has made them partners under the new humanity that Jesus has established.
While Paul doesn't mention Jesus' death and resurrection directly in this letter, he offers to take on any punishment Onesimus deserves, a demonstration of what Jesus did on the cross. He encourages Philemon to do the same as he reconciles to Onesimus before God.
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Living Out the Gospel's Message
One of Paul's shortest and the most explosive letters, the book of Philemon demonstrates the Gospel through action. It's written to Philemon whose slave Onesimus ran away and became a believer under Paul's teaching.
