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INTRODUCTION TO

THE LETTER OF SAINT PAUL TO PHILEMON

Author and Date Three times the author of Philemon identifies himself as the Apostle Paul (1, 9, 19). Because the letter also bears the distinctive imprint of Paul's personality and style, the vast majority of ancient and modern scholars have accepted this claim without hesitation. Only a handful of critics have ever challenged the authenticity of Philemon as a genuine letter from Paul.

There is less agreement on the date of the epistle. It is clear that Paul is writing the letter from prison (1, 9, 10, 13, 23); and, for this reason, Philemon is classified as one of the "Captivity Epistles" of Paul, the others being Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. It is unclear, however, whether this corresponds to his detainment in Caesarea (Acts 23:31-35), Rome (Acts 28:16-31), or some other place (2 Cor 11:23). All things considered, the most likely background for the epistle is Paul's first imprisonment in Rome, where he lived under house arrest from A.D. 60 to 62 (Acts 28:16, 30).

Destination Paul addressed this letter to a believer and slave owner named Philemon, as well as to Apphia (possibly his wife) and to a Christian leader named Archippus (possibly his son). Nothing in the letter specifies where these individuals lived, but the close connection between this epistle and Colossians suggests that Philemon resided either in Colossae itself or in a neighboring city of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). In support of this, it is commonly held that the slave Onesimus mentioned in verse 10 is the same man that Paul sent along with Tychicus to hand deliver the Letter to the Colossians (Col 4:7-9). Presumably they would have delivered this epistle as well.

Purpose The letter is Paul's impassioned appeal to Philemon, urging him to welcome back one of his runaway slaves, Onesimus (10). Formerly, Onesi-mus was a useless servant who not only deserted his master but may have stolen money or property from him, as well (11, 18). In the meantime, Onesi-mus has become a Christian through an encounter with Paul. The apostle is now sending him back to Philemon and asking that he be received, no longer as a bondservant, but as a beloved brother in Christ (16). Secondarily, Paul asks that preparations be made for his own arrival, pending his expected release from prison (22).

Themes and Characteristics Philemon is the shortest of Paul's surviving letters and certainly one of his most personal. Throughout the epistle, Paul shows himself adept at the art of persuasion, as he tries to win over both the head and heart of Philemon. So insistent are his pleas on behalf of Onesimus that Paul is barely able to hold back from demanding that Philemon comply with his requests (8-9). Theological and spiritual themes, so prominent in Paul's other writings, are more often assumed than asserted in Philemon.

The impact of this short letter cannot be felt without some understanding of its background. Slavery was an accepted institution in the Roman civilization of the first century. In fact, the slave population in Paul's day outnumbered the population of free citizens. This unbalanced situation was kept under control by Roman law, which made runaway slaves liable to the death penalty. Aware that such consequences could be in store for Onesimus, Paul decides to intercede for the life and well-being of this newly baptized slave. Paul insists that he return to his master to make amends for his desertion and thievery, and the apostle is even willing to pay Philemon whatever Onesimus owes him to ensure that justice is served (18-19). On the other end, Paul is challenging Philemon with a standard far higher than any Roman law. It is a standard of Christian mercy. Not only should this master forgive and forget the wrongdoing of his returning slave, but Paul drops several hints that Philemon should emancipate him entirely (16, 21)! Since Philemon himself has experienced the mercy and freedom of Christ in his own life, Paul reasons it is now time for him to extend that gift to Onesimus, who has likewise been freed by Christ and is coming home as a brother in the Lord. «