Philemon

Overview

The shortest of Paul’s letters and the most personal: a single chapter asking one man to take back a runaway slave, not as a slave but as a beloved brother.

Paul does not command, though he says he could. He appeals — for love’s sake, as an old man and a prisoner — and offers to pay whatever Onesimus owes out of his own pocket. It is the gospel worked out between two men and one debt.

Background

Onesimus had run from Philemon’s house in Colosse, possibly after stealing, and ended up in Rome where he met Paul and was converted. Roman law gave an owner wide power over a returned runaway, including death.

Paul sends him back carrying this letter, alongside Tychicus with the letter to the Colossians — where Onesimus is named as a faithful and beloved brother, one of their own.

Key themes

• Forgiveness asked for on the ground of what Christ has already forgiven.
• A changed man: Onesimus, whose name means useful, once unprofitable and now profitable.
• Persuasion rather than command — Paul stakes his friendship on the appeal.
• Substitution in miniature: put that on mine account.
• The gospel reshapes social relationships from the inside out.

Outline

1. GreetingVerses 1-3

   To Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and the church in his house.

2. ThanksgivingVerses 4-7

   Paul has heard of his love and faith, and the refreshing of the saints.

3. The appealVerses 8-16

   Not commanding but beseeching for Onesimus, begotten in his bonds.

4. Put it on my accountVerses 17-21

   Receive him as myself; if he owes thee ought, I will repay it.

5. A lodging, and greetingsVerses 22-25

   Prepare me a lodging — and farewells from those with him.

Key passages

• Philemon 1:6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual.
• Philemon 1:10-11 Onesimus, in time past unprofitable, but now profitable.
• Philemon 1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him.
• Philemon 1:16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved.
• Philemon 1:17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
• Philemon 1:18-19 If he hath wronged thee, put that on mine account.

Christ in Philemon

"Receive him as myself" and "put that on mine account" are the gospel in two phrases: one stands in for another, and the debt is charged elsewhere. Paul, who wrote that God made Christ to be sin for us, is asking Philemon to do in small what Christ did for them both.

Reading it

• Read it in one go — it takes three minutes.
• Read Colossians 4:7-9 afterward and notice Onesimus named among them.
• Ask what Paul does not say: there is no command here, and no discussion of slavery as an institution — only a brother.