Philemon

Book Reviews aim to provide succinct, thoughtful summaries of books I have read. Each review contains quotes from the book, thoughts from others, and also some thoughts of my own. Typically they will be structured in the following order: author, introduction, message and purpose, remarkable chapter, and conclusion. This review will cover Philemon, a book written almost 2,000 years ago and one that is part of a larger collection of books called The Bible.

Philemon

Author

The apostle Paul

Introduction

Philemon is Paul's only letter of a private nature. It concerns a runaway slave (Onesimus) who had robbed his master (Philemon) and escaped from Colossae to Rome. There Onesimus met the imprisoned apostle Paul. Paul wrote to Philemon concerning Onesimus; he then sent both the letter and Onesimus back to Colossae. By comparison to Paul's other letters, Philemon is little more than a postcard, but it comes from a tender heart of a friend writing as a friend rather than as an apostle exercising his authority.

Message and Purpose

This letter has served as an inspiration for the liberation of slaves. Paul's clear preference was to keep Onesimus with him (v. 13), but he recognized that Philemon was his legal owner and decided to send him back (v. 12) so Philemon could either reinstate him as a slave who was now also a Christian brother (v. 15-16) or else set him free for further service to Paul back in Rome (v. 13, 20-21). Onesimus returned to his master with this letter, knowing that Paul was confident of Philemon's "obedience" (v. 21) but also knowing that neither forgiveness nor reinstatement nor emancipation was guaranteed.

Although it is the shortest and most personal of Paul's letter, Philemon was included in the New Testament canon for several reasons: 1) it illustrates the breaking down of social and cultural barriers that occurred between Christians, 2) it reflects early Christian attitudes towards slavery, 3) it shows a skillful pastor at work, and 4) it pictures the heart of the gospel.

Remarkable Chapter

As Philemon has only one chapter with twenty-five verses, it can be difficult honing in on just a small fragment. However, verses four through seven demonstrate wonderful encouragement to those who have found their identity in Christ Jesus:

"I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother."

This is a consistent theme found in Paul's letters, as they usually begin with prayers of thanksgiving for his readers' spiritual life and progress.

Conclusion

Paul, a highly educated Roman citizen, takes up the cause of a poor runaway slave whose life was in danger because of his theft and flight. Philemon shows us—among many other takeaways listed above—that social and cultural barriers are eliminated in Christian fellowship. Whether an educated citizen (Paul), a slave (Onesimus) or a slaveowner (Philemon), the book of Philemon demonstrates the important truth that when we come to God in repentance and faith, He gives us a new status and welcomes us as if we were Christ. And that is really, really good news.