This is a personal letter
written by Paul while in prison in
It was sent the same time as
Ephesians and Colossians.
It is addressed to Philemon
who lived in
Philemon was apparently
wealthy because:
a) the large
number of slaves he owned
b) the church met
in his house. (verse 2)
Philemon had heard Paul,
though Paul had not yet been to
It is likely that Philemon
had heard Paul during Paul’s three year stay in
Apphia was Philemon’s wife
(2)
Archippus was his son or the
missionary elder that started the church.
He is mentioned in
Colossians 4:17.
He may have been the pastor of the Colossian church that met in
Philemon’s house.
To beg a wealthy believer
named Philemon to take back a runaway slave.
Onesimus was a slave that
had run away from Philemon and had stolen from him before he left. (18)
Onesimus had met Paul while
he was in prison.
Onesimus had come to the
Lord while he was with Paul
Onesimus had spent enough
time with Paul to be “helpful” to him.
Paul realized that Onesimus
had a responsibility to Philemon.
Onesimus needed to make
restitution for his stealing.
Tychicus most likely carried
the letter and Onesimus went along.
Philemon is told not to treat
Onesimus as a run away slave but as a brother in Christ (15-16; see also
Col.4:9 and Gal.3:28)
The life-changing power of
the gospel to reach into the varied social conditions of society and change our
relationships from bondage to brotherhood
Onesimus, guilty of a great
offense 1:11,18
Paul motivated by love
intercede on his behalf 1:10-17
Paul lays aside his rights 1:8
Paul becomes Onesimus’
substitute 1:19-20
Philemon’s gracious act
restores Onesimus 1:15-16
Onesimus has a new
relationship with Philemon 1:15-16
Onesimus, though condemned
by law, was saved by grace