Names of the Book
English: | Philemon |
Greek: | Φιλήμων |
Transliterated: | Philēmōn |
Other names: | Paul's epistle to Philemon |
Who
Wrote the book: | Paul |
Are the key people: | Paul, Philemon, Onesimus |
Is it written to: | Philemon, believers in Colossae |
What
Paul's appreciation of Philemon and his friendship (Philemon 1-7) |
Paul's appeal to Philemon for Onesimus (Philemon 8-25) |
When
Was it written: | c 60 CE |
Did the events occur: | c 60 CE |
Was it canonized: | c 70-170 CE |
(see the Timeline of the First Century) |
Where
Was it written: | Rome (while Paul was in prison) |
Did the events occur: | Colossae, Rome |
Why
Philemon was written to inform us that: |
Believers should forgive others. |
There are no barriers that can separate us from G-d's love. |
Believers should respect others as individuals who can make their own choices. |
Introduction
Philemon was a co-laborer with Paul in the work of ministry. Philemon's slave, Onesimus, had stolen some property and run away. Paul later met Onesimus and led him to faith in Messiah Yeshua. Paul writes to Philemon urging him to reconcile with Onesimus and accept him back into his household as a fellow believer rather than as a slave. Noting that Onesimus (which means "useful") was formerly "useless" to Philemon but, as a believer, is now "useful" to both of them, Paul sends Onesimus back to his former master. He expresses his willingness to pay any debt Onesimus owed to Philemon and thus provides encouragement to all believers to reconcile with one another.
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