PHILEMON
In this private letter, Apostle Paul wrote about a practical way of showing Christian love.
What Makes PHILEMON Special
This letter is typical of the kinds of letters people wrote in the Roman world. It is the shortest and most personal of Paul’s letters. The way it is written suggests that Paul and Philemon were close friends. Most of the people mentioned in this letter, including Philemon’s slave Onesimus, are also mentioned in Colossians (Col 4:7-9)]
Why Was PHILEMON Written?
Philemon was a wealthy man who owned slaves, like many wealthy people in the Roman world. He was also a Christian who used his large house for church meetings. One of his slaves was Onesimus. Onesimus ran away from his master, took refuge with Paul and became a Christian believer. Instead of keeping him, Paul sent him back to face his master. As Paul sent Onesimus back to his master, Paul wrote this letter to Philemon making an appeal to accept Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a fellow follower of the Lord.
This letter shows how a Christian should act when believers are in conflict. Paul intervened and worked for the reconciliation of Philemon and Onesimus.
Key Verses:
“But I would rather ask you to do it simply because of love.” v 9
“…you could have him back for good, but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord.” Vv 15b – 16
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