Keys of Truth: Philemon

Introduction to Philemon

Author: The apostle Paul. The reason Philemon is placed last among Paul's epistles is because they are arranged according to length, from longest to shortest, rather than by date.

Date of writing: A.D. 61, during the imprisonment described at the end of Acts.

Theme: People are equal. This brief letter to Paul's "beloved friend" (1:1), Philemon, concerns a runaway slave named Onesimus. Every large Roman household had slaves, including that of Philemon. It was a capital offense for a slave to run away. To compound matters further, Onesimus had stolen from Philemon (v. 18). Somehow, he journeyed to Rome and found Paul. The apostle led him to faith (and freedom) in Christ. But, not to presume on the good graces of Philemon, Paul sends Onesimus back with the insistence that Philemon receive him, not as a slave but as a beloved brother (v. 16). Tradition says that Onesimus went on to become the bishop of Ephesus. In this brief letter, Paul puts the ax to the practice of slavery among Christians, for in Christ, all are brothers and sisters.

Purpose: Paul wrote to ease the reentry of Onesimus into the household of Philemon. But the occasion also gave him the opportunity to set forth his views on slavery. The influence of this letter has been out of proportion to its length.

1) The grace and peace that comes from God belongs to the believer.

2) We should pray and thank God for one another.

3) As believers our faithfulness to God and our love for each other should be known and talked about.

4) We must share our faith, and come to a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Jesus Christ.

5) Our love for all of God’s people, and each other should give our Pastor joy and encouragement.

6) We should be bold enough to always do what is right. This strength comes to us through Jesus Christ.

7) Love must be the foundation for all we do.

8) When we surrender our lives to God that which was useless becomes useful.

9) We must spread the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

10) We should consider one another in our actions and responses.

11) If we do something for someone it should be of our own freewill, not because we feel forced.

12) Let us seek to comfort each other because of Jesus Christ.