AUTHOR

It is commonly held that Paul wrote to Philemon during his first imprisonment in Rome. The letter was sent by the hand of Tychicus, at the same time as the epistle to the Colossians. (Philemon 10,23,24; Colossians 4:7-15 ).

REASON

"Paul's letter was written to beg a wealthy believer named Philemon to take back a runaway slave, Onesimus, without punishing him as harshly as Roman law permitted. While the details of Paul's relationship with Onesimus remain a mystery, some things can be deduced. The runaway slave met Paul while the apostle was in prison. Paul's appeal suggests that Onesimus may have robbed his master for funds to use in making his escape. Yet Paul describes Onesimus as "faithful" and as a "brother. Apparently Paul led the runaway slave to Christ, and Onesimus had shown evidence that his conversion was real. After his conversion Onesimus had spent enough time with Paul to be "helpful" to him and for Paul to develop an honest affection for him." L.O. Richards - The Bible Readers Companion. Victor Books Inc. USA, Canada, England

SLAVE-BROTHERS

"Philemon was not the only slaveholder in the Colossian church (Colossians 4:1 ). So this letter gave guidelines for other Christian masters in their relationships to their slave-brothers. Paul did not deny the rights of Philemon over his slave, but he asked Philemon to relate the principle of Christian brotherhood to the situation with Onesimus (Philemon 16 ). At the same time, Paul offered to pay personally whatever Onesimus owed. This letter is not an attack against slavery as such, but a suggestion as to how Christian masters and slaves could live their faith within that evil system." Ryrie Study Bible - Moody Press, Chicago

"It is possible that Philemon did free Onesimus and send him back to Paul (Philemon 14 ). It has also been suggested that Onesimus became a minister and later a bishop of the Church at Ephesus." Ignatius, to the Ephesians, 1. Ryrie

GREAT VALUE

That the letter was intended for wider reading than that of Philemon alone, can be affirmed by the letter also being addressed "... to the church in your house:" (Philemon 2 NKJV). The variety of ways in which this short letter is of great value, is helpfully summarized by W. Graham Scroggie:

"Its personal value consists in the light it throws upon the character of Paul. Its ethical value consists in its balanced sensitivity to what is right. Its providential value consists in its underlying suggestion that God is behind and above all events. Its practical value consists in its application of the highest principles to the commonest affairs. Its evangelical value consists in the encouragement it supplies to seek and to save the lowest. Its social value consists in its presentation of the relationship of Christianity to slavery and all unchristian institutions. Its spiritual value consists in the analogy between it and the gospel story." Know your Bible - Volume 11 - Pickering and Inglis 1956

PRACTICAL FAITH

It is Paul's prayer that by sharing your faith in practical ways you will get a clear perception of the good things you have in Christ.