Preface to Philemon
“Paul recalls how much Philemon had done in the comforting of persecuted and poor saints. And when you are about to ask a favor of anyone, it is well to show your gratitude for what you or others have already received from him” – Charles Spurgeon.
Resources for Study:
- The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
- Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
- Free eBook – How to Study the Bible – 1 hour intro for beginners
Who wrote Philemon? Paul wrote Philemon at the same time he wrote the letters to the Colossians, Ephesians and Philippians A.D. 60-61. These are called the “prison epistles”.
Why was Philemon written? Paul is writing to Philemon, but he greets Apphia and Archippus and the church that meets in his house. Traditional scholars say that Paul was asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus, his slave, for deserting him and to not killing him, but I think there is another reason. During the time of the Roman domination there was a law that stated under certain circumstances or conditions a slave could seek out an advocate or intercessor to mediate a grievance with the master. So, it is possible that Onesimus legally makes his way to the place where Paul is imprisoned to seek his help. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series pg.705)
Onesimus would have known Paul from the contacts that Philemon had with the the apostle in the visits to Ephesus. So, it is possible that Onesimus could have believed Paul could intercede for him. This Epistle is the “letter of intercession” in the hopes that Philemon would forgive the wrong, cancel any debt and accept Onesimus as brother in the Lord and release him into Paul’s service. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series pg.705)
This letter is a personal letter to Philemon, but I think it was meant to be shared with the church there in Philemon’s home. Main reason for this is because of the greating at the start of the letter and the fact the Paul calls not just Philemon, but Apphia, Archippus and the church meeting there in his home.
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