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Introduction
to Philemon
Summary of the Book of Philemon
This summary of the book of Philemon provides information about
the title
author(s)
date of writing
chronology
theme
theology
outline
a
brief overview
and the chapters of the Book of Philemon.
Author
Date and Place of Writing
Paul wrote this short letter (see vv. 1
9
19) probably at the same
time as Colossians (c. a.d. 60; see Introduction to Colossians: Author
Date
and Place of Writing) and sent it to Colosse with the same travelers
Onesimus
and Tychicus. He apparently wrote both letters from prison in Rome
though
possibly from Ephesus (see Introduction to Philippians: Author
Date and Place
of Writing; see also chart
p. 2261).
Recipient
Background and Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon
a believer in Colosse who
along with others
was a slave owner (cf. Col 4:1; for slavery in the NT see note on Eph 6:5). One of his slaves
Onesimus
had
apparently stolen from him (cf. v. 18) and then run
away
which under Roman law was punishable by death. But Onesimus met Paul and
through his ministry became a Christian (see v. 10). Now he was willing to
return to his master
and Paul writes this personal appeal to ask that he be
accepted as a Christian brother (see v. 16).
Approach and Structure
To win Philemon's willing acceptance of Onesimus
Paul writes very
tactfully and in a lighthearted tone
which he creates with a wordplay (see
note on v. 11). The appeal (vv. 4-21) is organized in a
way prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers: to build rapport (vv.
4-10)
to persuade the mind (vv. 11-19) and to move the emotions (vv. 20-21).
The name Onesimus is not mentioned until the rapport has been built (v. 10)
and the appeal itself is stated only near the end of
the section to persuade the mind (v. 17).
Outline
I.
Greetings (1-3)
- Thanksgiving and Prayer (4-7)
- Paul's Plea for Onesimus (8-21)
- Final Request
Greetings and
Benediction (22-25)
──《New
International Version》
Introduction to Philemon
Philemon was an inhabitant of Colosse
a
person of some note and wealth
and a convert under the ministry of St. Paul.
Onesimus was the slave of Philemon: having run away from his master
he went to
Rome
where he was converted to the Christian faith
by the word as set forth
by Paul
who kept him till his conduct proved the truth and sincerity of his
conversion. He wished to repair the injury he had done to his master
but
fearing the punishment his offence deserved might be inflicted
he entreated
the apostle to write to Philemon. And St. Paul seems no where to reason more
beautifully
or to entreat more forcibly
than in this epistle.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Philemon》
Philemon General Review
AUTHOR: PAUL
the apostle of Jesus Christ (1
9
19)
PLACE OF WRITING: ROME
about the same time the epistle to the
Colossians was written. This deduction is based upon the following:
1) Like the epistle to the Colossians
the epistle to Philemon was
written when Paul was in chains (1
10
13
23)
2) Timothy joined Paul in both epistles (1; Co 1:1)
3) Epaphras
Mark
Aristarchus
Demas
and Luke joined in the
salutation of both (23
24; Co 4:10-14)
4) Onesimus
the subject of this epistle
was one of the messengers
by whom the epistle to the Colossians was sent (Co 4:7-9)
5) Archippus
to whom this epistle is partially addressed (2)
is
also addressed in the epistle to the Colossians (Co 4:17)
TIME OF WRITING: If the epistle to Philemon was written about the
time Colossians and the other "prison epistles" (Ephesians and
Philippians) were written
then it was written during Paul's
imprisonment at Rome
sometime during the period of 61-63 A.D.
BACKGROUND OF THE EPISTLE: Philemon was a member of the church at Colosse
(cf. 1
2
with Co 4:17)
and a very hospitable one at that
(1
2
5
7). It is possible that he was one of Paul's own converts (19).
It is also plausible that Apphia was his wife
and Archippus his son
(1
2).
Onesimus had been one of Philemon's slaves (16)
who had run away (15).
It appears that he somehow traveled to Rome where he found Paul and
was converted to Christ (10). He had become very dear to Paul
and was
proving to be very useful (11-13).
But Paul did not think it right to keep Onesimus in Rome
and was
sending him back to Philemon (12-14). This letter to Philemon is an
appeal for him to receive Onesimus now as a brother in Christ
and for
him to forgive Onesimus if he had done any wrong (15-21).
PURPOSE OF WRITING: From the content of the epistle
it appears that
Paul had both a primary and secondary purpose:
1) Primarily to secure forgiveness for Onesimus
2) But also to provide from himself a place of lodging after his
release from imprisonment (22)
THE VALUE OF THIS EPISTLE: This short
but valuable epistle has been
described as:
* A Model Of Christian Courtesy
* A Manifestation Of Christian Love
* A Monument Of Christian Conversion
Perhaps this is why the Holy Spirit deemed it proper to preserve it for
our benefit.
KEY PASSAGE: "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus
whom I have
begotten while in my chains
who once was unprofitable
to you
but now is profitable to you and to me."
(10
11)
BRIEF OUTLINE: Paul's Courtesy (1-3)
Paul's Compliment (4-7)
Paul's Counsel (8-21)
Paul's Conclusion (22-25)
A detailed outline of the epistle can be found in the material on
Chapter One.
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION
1) Who is the author of this epistle?
- Paul
2) Where was he writing from?
- Rome
3) Approximately when was this epistle written?
- Sometime between 61-63 A.D.
4) What other epistles were written by Paul about the same time?
- Colossians
Ephesians
and Philippians
5) What church possibly met in Philemon's home?
- The church at Colosse
6) Who was Onesimus?
- A runaway slave that had belonged to Philemon
7) What was Paul's purpose in writing this epistle?
- To secure forgiveness for Onesimus
- To provide for himself a place of lodging after his release from
imprisonment
8) What are the key verses to this epistle?
- Philemon 10-11
－－《Executable
Outlines》