Paul wrote this short letter (see vv. ) probably at the same time as Colossians (c. a.d. 60; see Introduction to
Colossians: Author, Date and Place of Writing) and sent it to Colosse with the same travelers, Onesimus and Tychicus. He apparently
wrote both letters from prison in Rome, though possibly from Ephesus (see Introduction to Philippians: Author, Date and Place of Writing;
Recipient Background and Purpose
Recipient, Background and Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner
(cf. ; for slavery in the NT see
). One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen
from him (cf. ) and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death.
But Onesimus met Paul and through his ministry became a Christian (see ). Now he was willing to return to his master,
and Paul writes this personal appeal to ask that he be accepted as a Christian brother (see ).
Approach and Structure
To win Philemon's willing acceptance of Onesimus, Paul writes very tactfully and in a lighthearted tone,
which he creates with a wordplay (see ). The appeal
() is organized in a way prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman
teachers: to build rapport (vv. ), to persuade the mind
(vv. ) and to move the emotions (vv. ). The name Onesimus is not mentioned
until the rapport has been built (<), and the appeal it self is stated only near the end of the section to persuade
the mind ().