Pauline Epistles · New Testament
Philemon
c. AD 60–62
- Section
- Pauline Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 60–62
- Written
- c. AD 60–62, from Paul’s Roman imprisonment
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Paul's shortest letter is a personal appeal to Philemon, a Christian in Colossae, to welcome back his runaway slave Onesimus — now a believer — not as a slave but as a beloved brother. It is a quiet masterpiece on forgiveness and reconciliation.
Chronological placement: Written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (c. AD 60–62), alongside Colossians, which was carried to the same city.
Key themes
- Forgiveness
- Reconciliation
- Christian brotherhood
- Transformation in Christ
- Gentle persuasion
Key events
- Paul, a prisoner for Christ, greets Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in his house
- Paul thanks God for Philemon's love and faith and for the way he refreshes the hearts of the saints
- Paul appeals for Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, whom he led to Christ while imprisoned
- Paul sends Onesimus back, asking Philemon to receive him no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother
- Paul offers to repay whatever Onesimus owes and appeals to their shared partnership in the gospel
- Confident of Philemon's obedience, Paul asks him to prepare a guest room and sends final greetings
“Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”