Summary of the Book of Philemon

Author:
The author of the Book of Philemon was the apostle Paul, who described himself as “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer” (Philemon 1:1). Full article: Who wrote the book of Philemon? Who was the author of Philemon?

Date of Writing:
The Book of Philemon was written around A. D. 60.

Purpose of Writing:
The letter to Philemon is the briefest of all Paul’s writings and addresses the issue of slavery. It indicates that Paul was imprisoned when he wrote it. Philemon, a slave owner who also hosted a church in his home, likely encountered Paul during his ministry in Ephesus, became a Christian, and later had his slave Onesimus run away to Rome. Onesimus, still legally Philemon’s property, met Paul and converted to Christianity. Paul wrote to facilitate Onesimus’ return to Philemon, urging Philemon to receive him not as a slave but as a fellow believer in Christ.

Key Verses:
Philemon 6: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
Philemon 16: “…no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.”
Philemon 18: “If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”

Brief Summary:
Paul emphasized the responsibility of slave owners towards their slaves and portrayed slaves as moral individuals accountable to God. In Philemon, Paul did not explicitly denounce slavery but advocated for treating Onesimus as a fellow Christian rather than a mere slave. By encouraging Philemon to view Onesimus as a brother, Paul highlighted the transformative power of faith in fostering equality and brotherhood among believers.Position in which the legal title of a slave is meaningless. The early church did not directly attack slavery, but it established the groundwork for a new relationship between owner and slave. Paul endeavored to reconcile both Philemon and Onesimus with Christian love, making emancipation inevitable. Only after being exposed to the light of the gospel could the institution of slavery come to an end.

Connections:
Perhaps in no other place in the New Testament is the contrast between law and grace so beautifully illustrated. Both Roman law and the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament granted Philemon the authority to punish a runaway slave who was considered as property. However, the covenant of grace through the Lord Jesus enabled both master and slave to share in love on an equal footing within the body of Christ.

Practical Application:
Employers, political leaders, corporate executives, and parents can embody the essence of Paul’s teachings by treating Christian employees, colleagues, and family members as part of Christ’s Body. Christians in contemporary society should not perceive assistants as mere means to advance their own goals but as fellow Christian brethren who deserve to be treated with kindness. Furthermore, all Christian leaders must acknowledge that God holds them responsible for how they treat those under their authority, whether they are believers or not. They will ultimately answer to God for their deeds «Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. », (Colossians 4:1).