This is a special, personal letter to a friend. It is one of the shortest letters in the New Testament. It is concerned with merciful treatment for a runaway slave.
Onesimus is a runaway slave. He was converted while he was in prison with Paul. Paul sees himself as his spiritual father. He has been a great help to Paul while he was in prison. Because of the law of the time, a master was free to beat and even kill a runaway slave. Philemon, who was also a Christian, was Onesimus’ master. Paul, therefore, calls for him to put the love of Christ into action, and forgive Onesimus and accept him as a dear brother. While Paul seems to have accepted slavery as a given in the society, he helped the Christians to transform it within. While Paul does not condemn slavery in his writings, he makes a radical statement by calling this slave Philemon’s brother in Christ.
This small letter is a masterpiece of grace and tact and a profound demonstration of the power of Christ and of true Christian fellowship in action.
To convince Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and to accept him as a brother in the faith.
Paul
To Philemon, who was probably a wealthy member of the Colossian church, and all the believers.
The date is believed to have been around AD 60, during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, at about the same time Ephesians and Colossians were written.
Slavery was very common in the Roman Empire during the time Paul wrote this letter. Some Christians were also slaves.
Questions for Reflection:
How do I normally behave in Conflict Situations? How do I normally use the power that I have?
“Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” (1:15, 16)
What things are there in society that we as Christians should challenge? And: How do we handle conversations with others where we are likely to have conflicts of opinion?