Introduction to Philemon

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church , Hamilton , Ohio

  1. Author. Paul wrote Philemon (1:1) in about 61 or 62 A.D. from his first Roman imprisonment.   Timothy is with Paul (1:1), however, Paul is the sole writer as shown by the first person references throughout the epistle (1:4, 8-14, etc.)
  2. Recipients.   Philemon is written to Philemon (1:1), a faithful Christian of Colosse.   This epistle is also addressed to Apphia (Greek feminine ended; may be Philemon’s wife), Archippus (Greek masculine ending; may be Philemon’s son), and the church that meets in the house of Philemon.   Philemon may have been wealthy, since his home was large enough for a church to gather, and since Philemon was an owner of servants ( 1:16 ; Greek doulos meaning bondman, slave).
  3. Theme.   The practical righteousness of Christian brotherhood, courtesy, love, brotherly treatment of others in political/economic relationships (i.e., relationships involving master-slave or employer-employee), and forgiveness, even when one has been an offender like the runaway slave, Onesimus.
  4. Key verses.   1:15-19 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?   17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.   18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
  5. Key words used in Philemon: partner – 1 time (used only twice in the entire New Testament, cf. II Corinthians 8:23).
  6. Reference to the Lord’s church in Philemon.   The word church appears once in Philemon: 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier; and to the church in thy house.   Paul’s letter to Philemon clearly shows all believers that matters involving only two or three individuals directly, also involves an entire church indirectly.   In a church, burdens and blessings are shared (Galatians 6:1-6), and matters of continuing controversy and confusion are to be settled by the church of which the parties are members (Matthew 18:15-19).
  7. Philemon has 1 chapter, 25 verses, and about 445 words.

 

Applications For Today’s Society

Today, the employer/employee relationship is very much similar to the master/slave relationship of the past.   The employee sells his capabilities and energies to his employer much as slaves were sold in the past.   In addition, the employers may sell their companies and employees much the same way that plantations and slaves were sold in past times.   American culture has been influenced by many bondmen in servitude for their passages to America and poor immigrants who fled oppressive slave-type conditions in the Old World.   The society of the United States has protected the employer/employee relationship so that the most horrible forms of abuse of slaves (employees) do not occur to the extent allowed under the old Roman slave system.   However, America did accept the terrible American Negro slavery system.   People will mistreat others unless they are changed from the nature of Adam that they inherit with their original birth.   Each person must become a new creature in order to have a truly new morality for interpersonal relationships!   Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17).   In Christ, all problems associated with the various remnant forms of slavery existing today (company/union problems, employer/employee, capitalist/worker, etc.) can be solved if each would treat the other as a brother beloved (1:16).