Tuesday after Epiphany
Click here to join the effort!
Bible Commentaries
Light of Israel Bible Commentary Light of Israel
- Philemon
by Jim Gerrish
Philemon is a tiny book that was probably written on a single sheet of papyrus. It is a precious little book, since it is the only private letter written by Paul that we possess today.(F1) Through history, this little book has scarcely been questioned as a genuine letter of Paul. It is felt by most commentators that it was written while he was a prisoner in Rome (c. AD 59-62), and was sent out with the other "prison epistles" of Ephesians and Colossians. Likely the prison epistle of Philippians was sent at a later date. The epistle of Philemon was probably carried to the Lycus Valley churches by Tychicus and by the slave Onesimus himself (cf. Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7-9).
This short letter is addressed to Philemon, who was a dear friend of Paul. Philemon was likely a resident of Colossae. It is also addressed to Apphia, who was probably his wife, and to Archippus, who was likely his son. Philemon, who earlier was won to the Lord by Paul, was apparently a wealthy and influential person in the church. His house was obviously large enough that the church meetings were conducted there.
At the core of the problem in this letter is Onesimus, the runaway slave of Philemon. Onesimus in his flight had somehow arrived at Rome and had come into contact with Paul. In doing so, he was won to Christ by the apostle. He then began to diligently serve Paul in the latter's imprisonment, to the point that the apostle could hardly do without him. However, since he was a runaway slave, Paul was determined to send him back to his master.
This letter, which he carried back to his owner, is in itself a masterful appeal that Onesimus should be received as a brother in Christ and that he could now become useful to Philemon, and perhaps still to Paul himself. The letter shows how Christianity was already making drastic social and cultural changes in the otherwise cruel Roman Empire.
Philemon is a bright light focused on human relationships in the First Century after the advent of Christianity. Today it sheds light on our human relationships at home, at church and in our communities, especially as we relate to employers and fellow workers.
