Letter 13 of 14 · Overview available
Philemon
The gospel reshapes relationships: a slave and his master become brothers in the Lord.
Onesimus, enslaved in Philemon's household, came to Paul — whether as a runaway or seeking an advocate is debated — and became a believer. Paul sends him back with this letter, appealing on the basis of love rather than command (v. 8–9) and offering to repay any debt (v. 18–19).
The letter does not directly call for abolition of slavery, which has led to long debate. Its logic — a brother "both in the flesh and in the Lord" (v. 16) — has been read by many Christians as undermining the institution's foundations. Readers should face the history honestly, including how texts were misused to justify slavery.
- Date
- c. AD 60–62
- Written from
- Rome (in custody)
- Recipients
- Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and the church in their house
- Chapters
- 1
- Stage
- Imprisonment
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Sent from Rome with Colossians, carried by Onesimus himself (Col 4:9).
Why Paul wrote it
To reconcile Onesimus and Philemon.
Why it matters today
A model of reconciliation, advocacy, and the social power of the gospel.
The World Behind the Letter
Roman slavery was widespread and not race-based; enslaved people could be educated or brutalized and had few legal rights.
Purpose and Problems
Literary Structure
- 1
Greeting and thanksgiving · 1–7
- 2
The appeal for Onesimus · 8–22
- 3
Greetings · 23–25
Key passages
Passage-by-Passage
Theological Themes
My Notes
Sources
- Douglas J. Moo, The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon (PNTC, 2008)
- James D. G. Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon (NIGTC, 1996)