Book overview of Philemon
Book Summary of Philemon
This summary of the book of Philemon provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Philemon.
Author, Date and Place of Writing
Paul wrote this short letter (see vv. Phm 1,9,19) 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; see also chart, p. 2261).
Recipient, Background and Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner (cf. Col 4:1; for slavery in the NT see note on Eph 6:5). One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen from him (cf. v. Phm 18) and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death. But Onesimus met Paul and through his ministry became a Christian (see v. Phm 10). 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 v. Phm 16).
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 note on v. Phm 11). The appeal (vv. Phm 4-21) is organized in a way prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers: to build rapport (vv. Phm 4-10), to persuade the mind (vv.Phm 11-19) and to move the emotions (vv. Phm 20-21). The name Onesimus is not mentioned until the rapport has been built (v. Phm 10), and the appeal itself is stated only near the end of the section to persuade the mind (v. Phm 17).
Outline
Greetings (Phm 1-3)
Thanksgiving and Prayer (Phm 4-7)
Paul's Plea for Onesimus (Phm 8-21)
Final Request, Greetings and Benediction (Phm 22-25)
From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Philemon
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
This summary of the book of Philemon provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Philemon.
Author, Date and Place of Writing
Paul wrote this short letter (see vv. Phm 1,9,19) 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; see also chart, p. 2261).
Recipient, Background and Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colosse who, along with others, was a slave owner (cf. Col 4:1; for slavery in the NT see note on Eph 6:5). One of his slaves, Onesimus, had apparently stolen from him (cf. v. Phm 18) and then run away, which under Roman law was punishable by death. But Onesimus met Paul and through his ministry became a Christian (see v. Phm 10). 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 v. Phm 16).
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 note on v. Phm 11). The appeal (vv. Phm 4-21) is organized in a way prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers: to build rapport (vv. Phm 4-10), to persuade the mind (vv.Phm 11-19) and to move the emotions (vv. Phm 20-21). The name Onesimus is not mentioned until the rapport has been built (v. Phm 10), and the appeal itself is stated only near the end of the section to persuade the mind (v. Phm 17).
Outline
Greetings (Phm 1-3)
Thanksgiving and Prayer (Phm 4-7)
Paul's Plea for Onesimus (Phm 8-21)
Final Request, Greetings and Benediction (Phm 22-25)
From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Philemon
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.