Philemon
Equality in Christ
Central Teaching
One’s relationship to Christ changes all other relationships, bringing equality among those who are in Christ.
Memory Verses
Setting
Paul wrote Philemon most likely when he was a prisoner in Rome in the early AD 60s, about the same time he wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Besides Paul, two main characters appear in this drama. Philemon is the slave owner who became a believer in Colossae through the ministry of Paul (v. 19). Onesimus is the runaway slave who may have stolen from his master (v. 18), come in contact with Paul in Rome, and subsequently become a Christian (v. 10). Paul wrote to persuade Philemon to act in a certain way toward his human slave because they are both brothers in Christ.
The cast of a corpse of a slave (as indicated by the shackles on his ankles) recovered from the ruins of Pompeii
Message
What do a Jewish-Christian apostle, a wealthy Gentile slave owner, and a runaway slave have in common? Nothing, unless they are united as brothers in Christ. This short letter tells the story of how one’s relationship to Christ changes all other relationships, especially those within the body of Christ.
Paul writes as a “prisoner of Christ” (vv. 1, 9) to persuade Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul himself (v. 17), without punishing him or putting him to death, which is typical treatment for runaway slaves under Roman law. Paul wants Philemon to welcome Onesimus as a “dear brother” (v. 16) and perhaps even to set him free to serve in the cause of Christ (v. 21). The phrase “even more” in verse 21 likely hints that Paul wants Philemon to free Onesimus and send him back to assist Paul in mission service.
Rather than calling for the abolition of the institution of Roman slavery, a strategy that may have destroyed the early church, Paul recognizes the evils of human slavery and preaches a gospel that ultimately leads to its downfall. Paul employs clever but powerful rhetorical strategies to persuade Philemon to act redemptively toward his slave. For example, he writes as an “old man” and a “prisoner” in soliciting sympathy in his appeal for his “son Onesimus” (vv. 9–10). Just as Philemon has refreshed the hearts of others (v. 7), Paul sends his “very heart” (Onesimus) back to him (v. 12), hoping Philemon will also refresh Paul’s heart (v. 20). Paul is equating Philemon and Onesimus as brothers in Christ, thereby putting a slave owner and a slave on the same level. He offers Philemon eternal perspective in the hope that Philemon will honor his requests.
Outline
Interesting Features
- Paul makes heavy use of rhetoric (the art of persuasion) in this letter.
- Rather than call directly for the overthrow of the institution of slavery, Paul preaches a gospel of freedom and equality in Christ—a gospel that eventually destroys the institution.
- The important phrases “in Christ” (vv. 8, 20, 23) and “in the Lord” (vv. 16, 20) appear throughout the letter to illustrate the main theme.
The interior of the Colosseum in Rome, showing what lies beneath the stadium floor
Connections
This short letter serves as a powerful reminder that being “in Christ” changes how we should treat other people, especially people of different social, racial, and economic situations (Gal. 3:28). As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should respond differently to one another (e.g., forgiving, accepting, interceding, returning). The book of Philemon reminds us that a new relationship with God should result in new relationships with God’s people.