Philemon,Paul’s Leter to

[Gr.Philemon”Loving thought”]

Courtesy of James Earl Jones(Bible Audio)The Book of Philemon

Background: Philemon was probably a convert of Paul's and now a church worker.Onesimus,one of his slaves,had run away but had met Paul and become a Chritian.Paul writes to Philemon to say that he is sending Onesimus back to his master and appeals to Philemon to do what would have been unusual in those days-to forgive and reinstate Onesimus.

Author:Paul(1:7)see Romans

Date and Location: AD61,during Paul's house arrest in Rome(Ac28:30,31),about the same time as Eph. and Col.

Recipients: Philemon(1:7)concerning his generosity. He may have met Philemon during his extended ministry in nearby Ephesus(Ac19)

Purpose:

-Commend Philemon for his compassion to other believers(1:7)

-Commend Onesimus to Philemon and ask for his complete forgiveness and restoration(1:8-21)

Unique Features:

-Philemon is the only totally private letter in Scripture

-gives a valuable glimpse into the social life of apostolic times

Comparison:

*The entire letter is a concrete example of truth of 1Cor12:13

*Eph., Col., Phil., 2ti and Php:all written when Paul is in prison

*Eph. and Col.:these show that Christians form the body of Christ;Philemon illustrates love within the body of Christ

*Col.:Except for Philemon and Apphia,everyone mentioned in Philemon is mentioned in Col.(1:1,2,23,24) with Col.4:9-17

Abbreviations:Philem./ Phile./ Phlmn./ Phm

MV:Mt23:26

Bib1Yr:He3Holy Brethren