TOPIC:"Philemon Gets a Personal Letter"
by Rev Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Philemon 1:1-24
"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds"
(1:10)
INFORMATION about the Book.
1. Who wrote it?
The Apostle Paul is the author of the Epistle to Philemon. Three times the writer calls himself Paul. The stile and substance of the book is uniquely Pauline. It is the only private letter of Paul which has been preserved by the Holy Spirit for us to read. It is a warm-hearted conversation of Paul to a friend. Paul's loving heart pleads for a poor outcast.
2. When was it written?
The Epistle to Philemon was written near the end of Paul's first imprisonment of two years at Rome around 62 A.D. Four Epistles were written during Paul's imprisonment - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These are known as the "Prison Epistles."
3. Where was it written from?
The Epistle was written when Paul was a prisoner of two years at Rome while awaiting the trial after his appeal to Caesar (Acts 28:16; 30-31). There at Rome Paul had occasion to teach, preach, and write to fellow-workers about his ministry (Acts 28:28; 30-31). Both Colossians and Philemon were written at the same time, under the same circumstances, and sent to the city on the same occasion.
4. Why was it written?
Onesimus, a Phyrgean slave from Colossae, had run away from Philemon, his master, after stealing from him. He fled to the larger city of Rome to flee the consequences of his crime and find a safer hiding place. This fugitive from justice came within reach of Paul and was converted under his ministry. After his conversion, he became an excellent helper to Paul in his work. The Apostle Paul writes this letter to plead with Philemon to receive Onesimus back with forgiving love because he was now a "beloved brother in the Lord." He was a "son of the kingdom."
The subject of slavery was a burning question at this time in Rome. The plight of all slaves was presently being debated in the Senate. Because of a ruthless crime committed by a slave against a master, the Senate was debating the old law enforced by Nero for the execution of guilty slaves and those associated with him. When one considers the present state of affairs in Rome as Paul sat down to write this letter to Philemon asking for his forgiveness and acceptance . . .