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Philemon

Philemon. A Request for Onesimus…. Philemon. Written by “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother” (1:1) Accepted as undisputed Pauline by nearly every scholar Written to

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Philemon

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  1. Philemon A Request for Onesimus…

  2. Philemon • Written by • “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother” (1:1) • Accepted as undisputed Pauline by nearly every scholar • Written to • “Philemon”, first recipient listed and is read my nearly all scholars as the slave-owner addressed by the letter • Also “Apphia, our sister”—the wife of Philemon? Maybe but not necessarily • Also “Archippus, our fellow soldier”—the son of Philemon? Maybe but not necessarily • Note Links to Colossians • “Archippus”—addressed by Col 4:17 • “Onesimus”—coming to Colossae with Tychicus (Col 4:8) • “Epaphrus”—Col 4:12 Sends Greeting with letter; Phil 3:23 sends greeting as Paul’s fellow prisoner • “Mark”, “Aristarchus”, “Demas” and “Luke” are listed as sending greetings in both letters (Col 4:10, 14; Phil 23) • Most scholars conclude either it was sent at same time (or if Colossians is pseudo-Pauline after Paul’s death, Colossians borrowed its names from Philemon)

  3. Philemon • Hence… • Same place and date apply to Philemon as would apply to Colossians if the latter is written by Paul or for Paul while Paul is still alive • Most likely Roman imprisonment (“I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ”—v. 8) • Circa 57-63 CE • Philemon likely a member of the church in Colossae although some suggest Laodicea based on Col 4:16.

  4. Philemon • The “Story” behind Philemon • Key to whole letter is that this is a very diplomatic request that Philemon release Onesimus the Slave and allow him to return to serving Paul full time (“I wanted to keep him with me…but I preferred to do nothing without your consent”—v. 13-14) • What can we really know about what led to this fascinating request?

  5. Philemon • The “Story” behind Philemon • Onesimus was originally Philemon’s slave (v. 16 “no longer as a slave”) • By the writing of this letter, Onesimus is in the company of Paul and has been converted by Paul (v. 10 child/Father relationship suggests this; v. 16 now to be received as a “beloved brother”) • But how do we go from Onesimus working as Philemon’s slave in Colossae (or wherever home is) to Onesimus in Paul’s company? • And what is this talk of the necessity of “welcoming him” and Paul needing to cover any outstanding debt Onesimus might owe (17-19) • Some suggest he ran away…but if so, why to Paul? • And especially so if he is not a convert before he gets to Paul? • Unless, of course, he has had a falling out with his master and Onesimus has some reason to believe Paul will be uniquely sympathetic to his cause • Did Paul offer a teaching on or have some practice related to slaves or slavery that might have given Onesimus reason to be hopeful? • Did he head off to Paul with or without the knowledge and consent of Philemon? • Notice Paul’s play on Onesimus’ name which means “useful”—and his statement that formerly Onesimus was “useless” to Philemon (because of his work ethic? His runaway status?)

  6. Philemon • The “Story” behind Philemon • Other scholars suggest a less adventurous tale… • Philemon had sent Onesimus to Paul on some delivery errand • Onesimus turned out to be very helpful on arrival and especially so once converted • Perhaps he stayed much longer than originally anticipated for these reasons • Was it that he had been sent because he was turning out to be a rather “useless” slave in Philemon’s house or business? • In this case, what is owed could be… • Lost income from having Onesimus gone unexpectedly long • “Welcome him, I detained him, I’ll cover any related costs” • Simply any outstanding accounts Onesimus may have with Philemon that need working off as debts (hence working for Paul he could not take care of these)

  7. Philemon • Diplomatic Rhetoric • Note that Paul does not simply demand that Philemon give his former slave freedom to so that he might work for Paul • Although with some rhetorical effect he suggests that he would be in his right to do so (v.8) • He implies this would rob Philemon of the basis of a freewill gift of Onesimus back to Paul (v. 14) • Rather Paul appeals • on the basis of friendship with Philemon (i.e., Philemon’s love for Paul, v. 9) • On the basis of his love for and the benefit of having Onesimus around (v. 11-12) • A freed Onesimus will serve as a substitute for what Philemon “owes” Paul! (v. 13) • Onesimus’ new status as Philemon’s “brother”, and not just his “slave” (15-16) • That he will cover any outstanding expenses owed (v. 18-19) • Paul’s expectation of outcome • That Philemon will respond favourably (and I doubt very much that Paul thought he would have to pay anything, whatever the earlier rhetoric) v. 21 • Paul’s presumption of Philemon’s positive response is underscored by his request to play host to Paul when he comes (v. 22)

  8. Philemon • Paul on slavery… • Texts of Interest • Philemon • 1 Cor 6:21-24 • Colossians 3:22-4:1 (//Eph 6:5-9) • Galatians 3:27-29 • Two important “background” details • Both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures had always been slave-owning cultures • The Hebrew Scriptures speak of God’s “redemption” of his people from slavery • The Torah offers mitigation but not the abolition of ANE slavery practices.

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