Philemon 1

General context

Paul, calling himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, writes with Timothy our brother to Philemon, named dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to Apphia, Archippus our fellowsoldier, and the church in thy house. Thanks come first: the writer mentions Philemon always in his prayers, having heard of his love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints, and says there is great joy in that love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee. Though he might be much bold in Christ to enjoin what is convenient, he says he would rather beseech for love's sake, being Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner. He beseeches for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds, who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable, and says he has sent him again and asks that Philemon receive him. He would have kept him to minister in Philemon's stead, but would do nothing without Philemon's mind, so that the benefit should be willing rather than forced. He offers a way of reading it, that perhaps he departed for a season so that Philemon might receive him for ever, not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved. If Philemon counts the writer a partner, he should receive Onesimus as myself, and if Onesimus has wronged him or owes anything, the writer says put that on mine account, adding I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it, and a reminder that Philemon owes him his own self. He asks for joy of Philemon, says he will do more than is asked, and asks for a lodging. Greetings from Epaphras and four fellowlabourers close it.

Cited passages: Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:2, Philemon 1:3, Philemon 1:4, Philemon 1:5, Philemon 1:6, Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:8, Philemon 1:9, Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:11, Philemon 1:12, Philemon 1:13, Philemon 1:14, Philemon 1:15, Philemon 1:16, Philemon 1:17, Philemon 1:18, Philemon 1:19, Philemon 1:20, Philemon 1:21, Philemon 1:22, Philemon 1:23, Philemon 1:24, Philemon 1:25

Philemon 1 (KJV)

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Historical context

The letter names two senders and three recipients, with a church in thy house, and it does not state how Apphia or Archippus are related to Philemon. The writer says twice that he is a prisoner and calls himself Paul the aged, giving no age, no charge and no place; after the final blessing this source prints a line saying the letter was written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant, which is not one of the letter's own sentences. Onesimus is named as one who departed and is being sent back, and his earlier standing is indicated only by the phrase Not now as a servant, but above a servant. The letter carefully does not settle the facts: it says he was in time past unprofitable, that perhaps he therefore departed for a season, and only conditionally that if he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought. Nothing states why he left, how he met the writer, how long he was away, or what Philemon did with the request. Epaphras is called fellowprisoner, and Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Lucas are called fellowlabourers, without further description.

Cited passages: Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:2, Philemon 1:9, Philemon 1:11, Philemon 1:15, Philemon 1:16, Philemon 1:18, Philemon 1:23, Philemon 1:24, Philemon 1:25

Literary context

The whole letter is one appeal, and every part of it is bent toward the request. The thanksgiving supplies the ground: Philemon is credited with refreshing the saints, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, and later the writer asks for the same thing for himself, refresh my bowels in the Lord. Authority is named and then set aside, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, so the request keeps the power it declines to use in view. The argument turns on reversals: unprofitable becomes profitable, for a season becomes for ever, and a servant becomes above a servant, a brother beloved. The writer takes on the debt in his own handwriting and immediately mentions a larger one owed to him. The last request is for a lodging, so the letter ends by announcing a visit.

Cited passages: Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:8, Philemon 1:9, Philemon 1:11, Philemon 1:15, Philemon 1:16, Philemon 1:19, Philemon 1:20, Philemon 1:21, Philemon 1:22

Key moments

1. A letter to a household (Philemon 1:2). The church in Philemon's house is addressed alongside three people.
2. Refreshing the saints (Philemon 1:7). Philemon is credited with refreshing other believers.
3. Asking, not commanding (Philemon 1:9). The writer says he would rather beseech for love's sake.
4. Onesimus named (Philemon 1:10). The request is made for a man the writer calls his son in bonds.
5. Sent back (Philemon 1:12). The writer says he has sent him again to Philemon.
6. Above a servant (Philemon 1:16). The request asks that he be received as a brother beloved.
7. Charge it to me (Philemon 1:19). The writer writes with his own hand that he will repay any debt.

For reflection

The writer says he could command, chooses to ask, and then says he knows Philemon will do more than he says. Where does asking end and pressure begin?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ
• Paul
• Onesimus
• Philemon
• Epaphras
• Luke
• Mark
• Timothy

Also indexed here:

• Apphia
• Archippus
• Aristarchus
• Demas