Last Seminary

Blessed are the Merciful, for They Shall Receive Mercy: An Exegetical Overview of Philemon 18-20

"The premier debate in this epistle centers around the issue of slavery as a social institution, and Christianity's impact on it. Specific issues of a practical nature quickly arise. In view of his imprisonment, how can Paul promise to repay any debt Onesimus has incurred? If Onesimus is manumitted on his return simply because he is a Christian, how will this affect the other slaves in Philemon's household? Why does Paul appear to use such an oblique approach with Philemon? What can we learn from this epistle?"

Philemon - World English Bible (WEB)

This is an open source version of the bible based on the 1901 ASV (American Standard Version). This document may be freely distributed, there is no copyright on this translation.

Literary Analysis of Paul’s Letter to Philemon: An Analysis of Paul’s Use of Poetic Devices to Appeal to Philemon’s Conscience

"The letter to Philemon tackles the personal issue of the rift between the slave Onesimus and his master Philemon, with the hope that latter will receive back his runaway slave not only as a member of his household but as a Christian brother. Despite its personal subject matter, the letter exhibits the characteristics of a typical public letter: the introductory and concluding greetings contain multiple addressees, and the introductory greeting makes a point to establish the letter’s apostolic nature. These elements would appear awkward if the letter were meant for Philemon’s eyes only, suggesting that Paul intended it for a public audience. This impression is strengthened by Paul’s handling of the subject of slavery in the early Christian church, which seems tailored to address broad questions about how social and professional relationships were to be undergirded, and perhaps undermined, by the community of mutual love that was found in the church."