What makes the Letter to Philemon unique?

More than any of the letters that Paul wrote, his letter to Philemon is a good example of the kind of letters people wrote in the Greco-Roman world. It is the shortest and most personal of Paul's letters. The style and tone of the letter suggest that Paul and Philemon were either close friends, or that at least they knew each other well. Paul and Philemon may have had what is known as a patron-client relationship. Most of the people mentioned in this letter (for example, Apphia, Archipus, and others), including Philemon and Onesimus, are also mentioned in Colossians, a fact which implies a close relationship between the two letters.

Why was the Letter to Philemon written?

The consensus among biblical scholars is that the recipient of the letter, Philemon, was a man of means who lived in the city of Colossae in Asia Minor. He had to have been wealthy in order to have owned slaves (verses 15 and 16) and to have had a house large enough to host church meetings (verse 2), even if they were only small gatherings. Traditionally, at least since the fourth century, interpreters have read the letter as follows: Paul is writing on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had escaped from Philemon's household. Onesimus had become a Christian and a valuable friend to Paul. Paul is writing to say that he is sending Onesimus back to Philemon and to encourage Philemon to accept Onesimus as a friend and a follower of Jesus.

What's the story behind the scene?

Recently, some scholars have challenged the traditional reading of the letter and have proposed a number of alternative interpretations. One of the primary reasons for this is that the traditional reading of Philemon has had, on more than one occasion, negative implications, such as the implicit and, at times, even overt support of oppressive social and cultural practices and institutions like slavery.

At least three alternative interpretations have been put forward. One interpretation argues that Onesimus, though a slave, was not in fact a runaway. The members of the church that met in Philemon's home knew that Onesimus was with Paul. Thus, Paul is not returning Onesimus; rather he is writing to request that Onesimus no longer be considered a slave and that he be allowed to stay with Paul in service to the gospel. Another view reads Paul's letter to Philemon as a story of estrangement between two brothers, Philemon and Onesimus. As such, the letter offers a model for Christian reconciliation and speaks of "the challenging implications of Christian life and the imperative of Christian justice." Additionally, reading the letter from within the context of a patron-client relationship, others suggest that Philemon is attempting to act as a patron to Paul by sending Onesimus to serve Paul. Paul, in turn, is refusing the gift and tactfully cautioning Philemon against acting presumptuously.

In reality, there is very little available in the letter (e.g., textual clues, etc.) from which to reconstruct the historical situation behind the letter. Therefore any reconstruction of what occasioned the letter will be speculative. Moreover, as a rhetorical document aimed at persuading the recipient, the actual situation is often disguised by the rhetorical situation.

The authorship of the letter has gone virtually unquestioned by the vast majority of biblical scholars. However, it is important to note that African-American slaves questioned both the authorship and the theological import of the letter. Paul may have written this letter while he was in prison in Ephesus, or he may have written it from Rome where he was forced to live under house arrest, guarded by a Roman soldier who would have made sure Paul did not go out, and who would have also monitored those who came to visit Paul (see Acts 28.16-20).

Paul's primary concern seems to be that Philemon will regard Onesimus with kindness and love. He knew that Roman law allowed slave-owners to punish recaptured slaves harshly, and he does not explicitly question Philemon's right to own slaves. In fact, Paul seems to accept slavery as a part of the society of his day (compare 1 Corinthians 7.20-22). In his letters he urged slaves to obey their masters. But more importantly, he urged masters to be kind to their slaves (see Colossians 3.22 - 4.1). In Galatians, Paul says that slaves and free persons who have faith in Christ are equal with each other in God's family (Galatians 3.26-28). Returning to Philemon, verse 21 may imply that Paul wants Philemon to set Onesimus free.

How is Philemon constructed?

The letter may be outlined as follows:

• Greetings and a prayer for Philemon (1-3)
• Message to Philemon about his slave, Onesimus (4-22)
• Thanksgiving (4-7)
• Paul's argument regarding Onesimus (8-20)
• Paul's request (21-22)
• Final greetings and a prayer (23-25)