Philemon — Introduction & Outline

It is hardly necessary to defend Pauline authorship of this brief letter. Three references identify Paul as the author (vv. 1,9,19) and the close association with Colossians is seen by mention of Paul's companions (vv. 23-24; Col. 4:10,12,14,17).

Philemon is considered one of Paul's prison epistles (with Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians) since it was written during his first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:30). Its date and place of origin is established by the fact that it was written and sent at the same time as Colossians (v. 12; Col. 4:7-9). Tychicus carried both letters to Colossae. This fixes the date at about A.D. 61 from Rome.

The letter was a personal correspondence to Philemon and the church that met at his house (v. 1-2). Philemon was a resident of Colossae and a man of some wealth, as indicated by his ownership of slaves and a house big enough to accommodate the church. It is often postulated that Apphia was Philemon's wife and Archippus, a leader or the pastor of the church, his son (v. 2; Col. 4:17). Apparently, Philemon owed his conversion to Paul's ministry (v. 19).

The circumstances behind Paul's writing are evident in the contents of the letter itself. Onesimus, a slave of Philemon's, had run away from his master and stolen from him (vv. 15- 16,18). Somehow, Onesimus met Paul during his Roman imprisonment, was converted, and became useful to Paul in Rome (vv. 10-11). Paul, in agreement with Onesimus, realized that this slave had a Christian duty to return to his master, fulfill his obligations and make restitution. Therefore, Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon (v. 12) accompanied by Tychicus (Col. 4:7-9) and this letter through which Paul makes a plea on Onesimus' behalf.

Paul wrote to urge Philemon to receive Onesimus in a manner worthy of a Christian brother, not a runaway slave (vv. 15-16). Paul also writes to assure Philemon that anything owed by the slave will be paid by the apostle himself (v. 19).

The address in the introduction (vv. 1-3) assures Philemon of Paul's love and high regard for his friend. Even more, Paul expresses his thanksgiving to God because of Philemon's good testimony and ministry to the saints in Colossae (vv. 4-7).

Paul begins his appeal to Philemon (vv. 8-21) by explaining the circumstances leading up to the return of Onesimus (vv. 8-16). Paul makes his appeal in love instead of by command (vv. 8-9). He then explains his relationship to Onesimus, whom he met in prison, converted, and found useful (vv. 10-11). Though Paul would have liked Onesimus to stay and minister to him, he is sending him back (v. 12). He wants Philemon to receive Onesimus as if he were Paul himself, and gives the slaveowner the opportunity to respond voluntarily with the subtle hint that Onesimus be released to minister to Paul on Philemon's behalf (vv. 13-14). Paul suggests that God's providential design in all of this is that Philemon might enjoy an eternal relationship with Onesimus as a brother in Christ (vv. 15-16).

Paul closes with a direct appeal to Philemon (vv. 17-21). He urges that Onesimus be received in a manner worthy of the apostle himself (v. 17). He also promises to pay Philemon whatever Onesimus might owe, but reminds Philemon that he himself is a debtor to the apostle (vv. 18-19). Paul encourages Philemon to fulfill his joy in this and expresses the confidence that he will do more than Paul has asked (vv. 20-21). Paul may be hinting here that Philemon give Onesimus his freedom from slavery.

Paul's final remarks express his intention to visit (v. 22), and send greetings from his associates (v. 23-24). He closes with a benediction (v. 25).

The loving and gentle tone of this letter present a strong appeal on behalf of the slave, Onesimus. It is hard to conceive of Philemon doing any less than Paul asks in this matter.

1. The Introduction 1-3

   1. The writers 1a
   2. The readers 1b-2
   3. The greeting 3
2. Paul's Thanksgiving for Philemon 4-7

   1. The nature of his thanksgiving 4
   2. The cause for his thanksgiving 5
   3. The contents of his prayer 6
   4. The basis of his thanksgiving 7
3. Paul's Appeal to Philemon 8-21

   1. His explanation of the circumstances of the appeal 8-16

      1. Paul as the one making the appeal 8-9

         1. His attitude in the appeal 8-9a
         2. His present situation 9b
      2. Onesimus as the one for whom the appeal is made 10-11

         1. His relation to Paul 10
         2. His value to Philemon and Paul 11
      3. Paul's return of Onesimus to Philemon 12-14

         1. He wants Philemon to receive Onesimus. 12
         2. He wanted to keep Onesimus with him. 13
         3. He wants Philemon to respond voluntarily. 14
      4. God's possible purpose in Paul's appeal 15-16

         1. The possibility of an eternal relationship 15
         2. The nature of the eternal relationship 16
   2. His appeal to Philemon 17-21

      1. The request that Onesimus be received 17
      2. The promise to pay Philemon what is owed 18-19
      3. The encouragement to fulfill Paul's joy 20
      4. The confidence in Philemon's compliance 21
4. The Conclusion 22-25

   1. Paul's request concerning his visit 22
   2. The greetings from Paul's associates 23-24
   3. Paul's benediction 25