PAUL'S EPISTLE TO PHILEMON

      This tiny book – written in Paul’s own writing and delivered at the same time as the letter to the Colossians (60 AD) and only one chapter in length – is Paul’s personal letter to a slave owner, Philemon, who hosted a house fellowship in Colosse. Paul writes to address Philemon regarding his runaway slave named Onesimus, who had apparently run into Paul in Rome and become a Christian by his teaching. Paul handles this situation with the utmost care, using smooth language to encourage Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ upon his return. Though Paul could have commanded a specific response – the forgiveness and release of a slave – he instead issues a powerful appeal to Philemon, knowing that a voluntary right response is more valuable than a compelled right response. Paul puts his own friendship with Philemon on the line to evoke the proper response; and though we’re not told the outcome here or elsewhere in Scripture, there is a tradition that says God’s grace, through Paul’s technique, accomplished the right behavioral response from all parties involved. Let’s read and learn from Paul’s letter to Philemon.

CHAPTER 1
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