Feb 11 2020 - Introduction to Philemon

"The letter to Philemon is unique within the New Testament.  It is the only genuinely personal, that is, person-to-person, letter, even though the wider community is also in view (explicitly in vv. 2,22, and 25 and in the background throughout." James Dunn.

The Recipient

Philemon was probably a successful businessman (vv. 17 & 18) who had been converted through Paul's ministry, perhaps while visiting Ephesus. His home in Colossae was the meeting place of the church (or one of the house churches) of which he was probably the leader. It seems he had also assisted Paul in his evangelistic work in more than the role of a patron (see v.17).

Purpose of the letter

The letter's primary purpose is to intercede with Philemon concerning his runaway slave Onesimus. It seems that Onesimus may have robbed Philemon as well as running away or perhaps had embezzled funds entrusted to him. How he came into contact with Paul is difficult to say. James Dunn suggests that Onesimus may have left his master's household with the express purpose of contacting Paul. Having offended his master he seeks for Paul to plead with Philemon on his behalf. Dunn writes,

"This would create an interesting dynamic in the three-way relationship which makes this letter so intriguing... For it would mean that Onesimus, not yet a Christian, had sought out his master's Christian mentor to intercede for him... That tells us at once that it was Philemon's character as a Christian which Onesimus saw as likely to work most effectively in his favour. It also tells us that Philemon's regard for Paul would be well known within his household and that Philemon had not insisted that his whole household adopt his new faith, though conceivably Onesimus had been drawn into one or two of the meetings of the church in Philemon's house... That may suggest in turn, however, that Onesimus was ripe for conversion."

The converted Onesimus had become close to the imprisoned Paul and had proved useful to him.  Paul commends Onesimus to Philemon, urging him to receive him back, "no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother" (v.16).

Peter Misselbrook