Philemon: Receive him as a brother

Where Philemon sits

In the story

Act VI, Church · Rome, AD 60s and later

In the Bible

New Testament · Letters · book 57 of 66

Before it in the story

Colossians

After it in the story

Philippians

Usually placed with the letters Paul wrote as a prisoner in Rome and sent alongside Colossians; the only personal letter of Paul's about one man's return, it shows the gospel at work in a household.

Philemon summary

Paul, a prisoner, writes with Timothy to Philemon, a believer at Colossae in whose house the church met, and to Apphia, Archippus and the church (1:1–3). He thanks God for Philemon's love and faith, which have refreshed the hearts of the saints, and prays that his fellowship in the faith will bear fruit (1:4–7). Then he makes his appeal. Though he could command, he asks for love's sake, as an old man and a prisoner, for his child Onesimus, whom he fathered in the faith in prison: once useless to Philemon, now useful, as his name means, to both of them. Paul is sending him back, his very heart; he would have liked to keep him, but would do nothing without Philemon's free consent. Perhaps Onesimus was parted from him for a while so that Philemon might have him back for ever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother (1:8–16). So if Philemon counts Paul a partner, he must receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul; any wrong or debt is to be charged to Paul, who signs his pledge to repay with his own hand, though Philemon owes Paul his very self. Paul asks Philemon to refresh his heart in Christ, trusts him to do even more than he asks, and asks for a guest room, hoping to be released (1:17–22). Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke send greetings (1:23–25). The letter traveled with Colossians, carried by Tychicus as Onesimus came home (Col 4:7–9). It shows the gospel making a slave and his master brothers, and Paul's offer to take the debt echoes what Christ does for sinners.

Philemon in context

Written by

Paul (1:1, 9, 19), writing with Timothy, and adding the pledge of 1:19 in his own hand

Written to

Philemon, probably in or near Colossae, who owed his faith to Paul (1:19) and hosted the church; also Apphia, Archippus and the church in his house, who would hear the letter read (1:2)

Setting

Paul is in prison, most likely the house arrest at Rome of Acts 28:16, 30–31; Onesimus, Philemon's slave, has come to Paul and been converted, and Paul sends him back. Colossians 4:7–9 supports the usual reconstruction that he traveled with Tychicus and the letters

When

c. AD 60–62, during Paul's first Roman imprisonment, at the same time as Colossians and Ephesians. Some place it at Ephesus (c. AD 54–55) or Caesarea (c. AD 57–59).

Why

To send Onesimus back to Philemon and to persuade Philemon, by love rather than command, to receive him as a beloved brother and as Paul himself, to forgive any wrong and charge any debt to Paul, and, by hint, to do even more than Paul asks.

Themes of Philemon

• A slave made a brother
• Love, not command
• Fellowship in Christ
• Refreshed hearts
• Useless made useful
• Providence in a wrong
• The debt taken on

Key verses in Philemon

• Philemon 1:6

  I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.

• Philemon 1:9

  I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.

• Philemon 1:11

  Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

• Philemon 1:15–16

  For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

• Philemon 1:17

  So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

• Philemon 1:18

  But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

Philemon chapter by chapter

Part 1 · To a refresher of hearts 1:1–7

Part 2 · The appeal for Onesimus 1:8–22

1. 1
   Philemon 1: No longer as a slave, but as a beloved brother

   Paul appeals in love for Onesimus, now a brother in Christ: receive him as you would me, and charge his debt to me.

Part 3 · Greetings and grace 1:23–25

See the outline of Philemon