Book of 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.
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).
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).
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
Philemon 1 NLT
1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner
for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I
am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,
2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our
fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ give you grace and peace.
4 I always thank my God when I pray for
you, Philemon,
5 because I keep hearing about your
faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.
6 And I am praying that you will put
into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and
experience all the good things we have in Christ.
7 Your love has given me much joy and
comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s
people.
8 That is why I am boldly asking a
favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right
thing for you to do.
9 But because of our love, I prefer
simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now
also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
10 I appeal to you to show kindness to
my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in
prison.
11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to
you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
12 I am sending him back to you, and
with him comes my own heart.
13 I wanted to keep him here with me
while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have
helped me on your behalf.
14 But I didn’t want to do anything
without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not
because you were forced.
15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a
little while so that you could have him back forever.
16 He is no longer like a slave to you.
He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he
will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner,
welcome him as you would welcome me.
18 If he has wronged you in any way or
owes you anything, charge it to me.
19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND:
I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL !
20 Yes, my brother, please do me this
favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
21 I am confident as I write this letter
that you will do what I ask and even more!
22 One more thing—please prepare a guest
room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me
return to you soon.
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ
Jesus, sends you his greetings.
24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and
Luke, my co-workers.
25 May the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
