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An Introduction to PHILEMON
The book of Philemon was written by the apostle Paul around the same time as Colossians and Ephesians (approximately 60-64 A.D.). He wrote this third shortest book in the Bible (only 430 words – Vance, 75) while in prison at Rome.
As McGee (496) notes, “There were approximately sixty million slaves in the Roman Empire where the total population did not exceed one hundred twenty million.” This short letter concerns one of those sixty million in the little town of Colosse: a place that people would never talk about had not the letters to the Colossians and Philemon had been written. You see, Colosse was destroyed completely by an earthquake about two years after Paul’s letters were delivered (Phillips, 15).
The story behind this very personal letter is intriguing. A slave, named Onesimus had escaped from his master Philemon – a wealthy member of the church at Colosse. But while in Rome Onesimus had been led to the Lord by Paul while he was in prison (verse 10). Whether or not Onesimus set out to find Paul in hopes that he might aid him in returning to his old master (Zondervan, 514), or was simply providentially guided to Paul is not clear.
What is clear however, is that Onesimus was a “new creature” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) and wanted to do the right and lawful thing of the day – return to his master, and Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to assist Onesimus in this task. And as we shall see, Paul does much more for Onesimus than simply asking Philemon to receive him back as a slave (see verses 15, 16).
The following articles were written by our Pastor Dr. David E. Walker. Some were written specifically for this website. Some were written sermons that Pastor Walker preached here at Calvary Baptist. And others were written for the local newspaper here in Monticello Florida. These articles cover a variety of subjects. Some are inspirational and devotional, while others are polemic and doctrinal. We hope you receive a blessing from the biblical teachings presented in these articles.
Articles by Pastor Walker
It is also interesting that according to the postscript, Onesimus wrote this letter at the hand of Paul. He and Tychicus would deliver the epistle to the Colossians together (Col. 4:7-9) and then Onesimus would go on alone to the house of Philemon.
Doctrinally the book illustrates the great truth of imputation (verse 18); that Jesus Christ has taken the sins that were on our account and given us His righteousness that was on His account!
Practically it teaches “brotherly love” (McGee, 498) and forgiveness; that “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17) and we are to accept them as such.
And politically, it teaches that Christians are not to merge church and state affairs together. Paul never tried to overthrow the social institution of slavery, nor did he champion political issues. Instead he preached the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8). Note Alexander Maclaren’s remarks (cited by Wiersbe, 272) regarding Christianity’s role in society and politics.
First, the message of Christianity is primarily to individuals, and only secondarily to society. It leaves the units whom it has influenced to influence the mass. Second, it acts on spiritual and moral sentiment, and only afterwards and consequently on deeds or institutions. Third, it hates violence, and trusts wholly to enlightened conscience. So it meddles directly with no political or social arrangements, but lays down principles which will profoundly affect these, and leaves them to soak into the general mind.
McGee, J. Vernon., Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee Volume 5. Pasadena: Thru the Bible Radio, 1983
Phillips, John. Exploring Colossians & Philemon. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002
Vance, Laurence M., King James, His Bible, and its Translators. Pensacola: Vance Publications, 2006
Wiersbe, Warren W., The Bible Exposition Commentary/ New Testament Volume 2. Colorado Springs: Cook, 2001
Zondervan Bible Backgrounds Commentary