Philemon

Summary[i]

Writer: The Apostle Paul (Phm_1:1).

Date: Probably A.D. 64. It is one of the Prison Epistles. See Introductions to Ephesians and Colossians.

Theme: Onesimus ("profitable"), a slave of Philemon, a Christian of Colosse, had robbed his master and fled to Rome. There he became a convert through Paul, who sent him back to Philemon with this letter. It is of priceless value as a teaching

1. in practical righteousness;

2. in Christian brotherhood;

3. in Christian courtesy;

4. in the law of love.

The divisions are four

1. Greeting (Philemon 1:1-3).

2. The character of Philemon (Philemon 1:4-7).

3. Intercession for Onesimus (Philemon 1:8-21).

4. Salutations and conclusion (Philemon 1:22-25).