Philemon

Background to the Letter

Recipient: Philemon is a Gentile believer in Colosse. His house serves as the meeting place where a church meets.

Paul’s salutation and final greeting indicate that Paul expected Philemon to share the letter with the church.

Occasion: Onesimus has recently been converted and has been serving Paul, who is in prison. Now Onesimus is being sent back to Philemon, accompanied by Tychius, who is also carrying letters to the churches in Colosse and Asia.

Emphasis:

The Gospel reconciles people to one another, not only Jew and Gentile, but also slave and master, making them all brothers.

Overview of Philemon

This is the shortest of Paul’s letters.

In this letter, Paul is explicitly asking forgiveness for a crime that deserved punishment.

He is also implicitly asking forgiveness for another crime that could have been brought before the proper authorities.

Paul puts this entire ordeal in the perspective of the Gospel.

Verses 12-16 are Paul points out that this seemingly negative thing that has happened, may serve the greater interests of all.

In the midst of the wrong done:

1. one man (Onesimus) came to Christ and will gain rights as a brother, receiving grace that would would allow his wrong to

2. Another man (Philemon) is able to live out what he believes, in that he is able to fulfil the request of the letter. He is also able to show this as an example to the church with which he fellowships.

A Walkthrough of Philemon

1-3 Salutation

4-7 Thanksgiving and Prayer

8-21 The Appeal

22-25 Personal Word and Greetings