A.
Points
of Interest
The book reflects Paul's
tact, delicacy, good feeling, sensitivity, regarding
master-slave relationship. Paul shows us how to apply
Christian principle to social relationships. This book
pictures the church and Jesus Christ. Slaves were under
Roman Law given to master. Paul asks the slave owner to
receive back the runaway thief. Slave is a brother
beloved (vs. 16).
B.
The
People
Philemon - Paul's dearly
beloved and fellow laborer (vs. 1). This seems to
indicate a possible deep friendship. Possible that
Philemon was one of Paul's converts (vs. 19-21). (Col.
4:9) - gives a slight indication that Philemon lived in
Colosse. Philemon was a freeman - a slave owner; which
presumably would make him of the higher class socially.
This is also bore out by the fact that Paul addresses
this letter to the church in his house which implies his
social status. Apphia and Archippus (vs. 2) are believed
to be Philemon's wife and son respectively. Archippus
also, besides being Philemon's son, was a pastor at
either Colosse or Laodicea (Col. 4:17).
Onesimus - he was one of
Philemon's slaves. When the epistle to Colossians was
dispatched from Rome, per Lychicus, Onesimus accompanied
him (Col. 14:7-9). The two of them also carried this
private note to Philemon.
C. The
Background
Onesimus who was probably a
domestic slave of Philemon's and had run away, stole some
money from Philemon (vs. 18) to afford the get away. We
need to remember that slavery was an accepted institution
in the Roman Empire. Romans and Greeks brought multitudes
of slaves (old and young) home from their wars, and the
buying and selling of slaves was a part of their daily
life.
Paul had a great interest in
slaves (1 Cor, 7:20-24; Col. 3:22-4:1; Eph. 6:5-9). He
would encourage them to be the best possible Christians
and to win their freedom lawfully. Certain
Roman laws regarding slavery are important to our study
of Philemon:
[1]. Roman
law gave a slave no right of asylum, but granted him
the privilege of making an appeal.
[2]. The slave had the privilege of fleeing to
his master's friend; not for concealment, but for
intercession.
[3]. The owner of a slave was very strict in
his possession of the slave, although he might be
persuaded to loan him to a friend.
[4]. A slave could be adopted by his master as
a son and could be freed.
Apparently Onesimus fled
across Asia, across the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea
to Rome. At Rome he was under the influence of Paul, was
saved, and later returned to Colosse.
Onesimus quickly grew in
grace and endeared himself to Paul (vs. 11, 12) proving
so serviceable to Paul that he would have gladly detained
him in Rome (vs. 13) but Paul realized he belonged to
Philemon so the Apostle took the opportunity to send him
back with Tychicus, bearing the Colossian epistle and the
private note to Philemon.
D.
The
Letter
Paul's letter to Philemon
was written to be the mediation between Onesimus and his
outraged master.
Terrible punishment was
sanctioned by Roman law for such offenses; even the death
penalty. A slave was absolutely at his master's mercy;
for the smallest offense he might be scourged, mutilated,
crucified, thrown to wild beasts, etc. But Philemon was a
Christian, and therefore, when Paul writes this letter he
appeals to his Christian character.
A. (vs. 18) -
This statement seems to point to the fact that Onesimus
was guilty of stealing. Paul is then willing to pay back
anything that Onesimus took. I.O.U.
B. (vs. 19) - U.0.
Me. Paul then puts the monkey on Philemon's back because
Paul has done many things for him including leading him
to Christ.
C. (vs. 20,21) - Paul
knows when Philemon thinks about what he owes him for
giving him the gospel, that Philemon will do more than
what Paul asks.
D. (vs. 22) - Paul
cares a lot for Philemon, he asks him to prepare a place
for him so that when he gets out of prison he will come
to him.
