PHILEMON: PAUL’S OPEN LETTER TO A FRIEND

August 5, 2021

INTRODUCTION TO PHILEMON

AUTHOR: Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, had been an avid persecutor of Christians, even handing them over to be executed, until one life-changing journey to Damascus (Acts chapter 9). He set out with letters from the High Priest authorizing him to arrest Christians, but he was “arrested” instead by the Lord Jesus while still on the road. The Lord appeared to him in blazing, blinding light and asked why he was persecuting him. In Damascus, the Lord brought Ananias, a devout Jewish man living in Damascus, (Acts 22:11-16) to pray for Saul. (side note: This is not the same Ananias who lied about his gift to the Lord and was struck dead by God in Acts chapter 5) When Ananias prayed for him, Paul’s eyes were healed, and he was converted to Christianity. God called him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter somewhere around 60-62 AD while imprisoned in Rome because of his preaching the Gospel. Philemon along with Colossians, Philippians, and Ephesians are known as “The Prison Epistles” since all four were written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.

RECIPIENT(S): This was a private letter to Paul’s friend, Philemon, but was then shared with the congregation that met in Philemon’s home. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had stolen from him and run away. He ended up in Rome where Paul led him to faith in Jesus. This letter accompanied Onesimus as Paul had urged the man to return to his owner.

HISTORICAL SETTING: Slavery was common in Roman provinces and slaves had few rights. By New Testament times, they were receiving better treatment because masters had figured out that a contented slave was a better worker. Also, laws had been passed that a slave accused of a crime had a right to a trial. The biblical authors did not condemn slavery outright lest they incite a rebellion. However, they did insist on equality among believers and fair treatment of slaves (Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1).

THEMES:

  • Spiritual equality of masters and slaves
  • Repentance
  • Forgiveness

o Character

o Actions

o Motivation

WORDS: As in the other Prison Epistles we will highlight key words Paul used:

  • The blessings that belong to believers in Christ. Throughout, we will emphasize the words in Christ, in him, in whom, in the Lord.
  • The grace of God and salvation by grace alone.
  • Faith is the means by which the gift of salvation is made real in our lives
  • The unity of the body of believers
  • Love from God, love toward God, and love of believers for one another
  • Forgive, Forgiveness of the Lord to us, and us to others