Letter of St. Paul to Philemon
Title: The title is given based on the
main recipient of the epistle. Philemon come from Greek Philéo (to love, to show signs of love [Mt. 26:48]). The
name can be translated as “the affectionate one” or “the one who kisses”.
Date of
writing: The epistle
should precede or have the same date as the Letter to Colossians (cp. 1:10 and
Col.4:9). It depends on our understanding of the “negotiations” between St.
Paul and Philemon – either apostle settles the matter before sending Onesimus
or sends him hoping for/relying on the godliness of his addressee (1:21).
Also, having
Timothy and Demas in one letter temporal conundrum (cp. 2 Tim. 4:9-10). This
challenge can be solved through assumed repentance and return of Demas to “team
Paul”. This proposition of later date (after 2 Tim.) can give an explanation to
a better mood in comparison to 2 Tim. – St. Paul asks Philemon to prepare a
room for him (1:22) for he is ready to be released and travel again.
Structure:
a. 1:1-3, Greetings
b. 1:4-7, Example
of Philemon’s love and faith
c. 1:8-12, I,
Paul, appeal
d. 1:13-14,
he served me/on your [possible] consent.
c’. 1:15-19,
I, Paul, write.
b’. 1:20-22,
Philemon’s [expected] obedience.
a’. 1:23-25, final greetings (a+a’=10 people total)
Main
themes: The main
theme is a complex understanding of slavery in Ancient World and theology of
St. Paul. There is a need to reconcile Gal. 3:28 and 1 Cor. 7:21-22. We do not
know the final status of Onesimus in the household of Philemon and can rely
only on Paul’s encouragement in 1:16.
The theme of
father-son and brotherly relationship instituted via sacrament of the Holy
baptism. The apostle sends Onesimus as his son which he begot through the
conversion (and assumed baptism) of the latter. He also writes to the
congregation in Colossae that from now on Onesimus is their brother (Col. 4:9).
Taking into
consideration the timely matters (see Date of Writing) one needs to pay
attention to the theme of repentance and acceptance back into a ministerial collegiate
of failed fellow workers. Both Demas (2 Tim. 4:9-10) and Mark (Acts. 12:25;
13:13; 15:37-40) ended up being reunited with the Apostle.
Main
Characters: St. Paul
to Philemon
Co-signers |
Receivers |
Timothy Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke |
Apphia (most likely Philemon’s wife), Archippus, Church in Philemon’s house |
Reflection
in other parts of the Bible: The epistle can be seen as a NT commentary on the progression we see
first in Torah (Ex. 22:20; Deut. 23:15-16). From “no murdering of a slave” and
“no ill treatment to a foreigner” (Ex. 21:20-21; 22:21) through “no ill
treatment to a slave” (Deut. 23:16) to receive him “as a beloved brother”
(Phil. 1:16).
Family-based
relationship within the Church also presented in Gal. 4:19 where St. Paul
presents himself as a woman in the pains of child-baring (cp. Gen 3:16; Num.11:11-12;
Lk. 13:34).
The theme of
hospitality is an important part of Pauline epistles within the Canon of
Scriptures (cp. Rom. 12:13; 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8; Heb. 13:2 and Gen. 18; Ex.
2:15b-22; 1 Kg. 17:8-24; 2 Kg. 4:1-7, 8-37).
Lutheran
teaching: Book of
Concord has only one reference to the Epistle as an illustration on obedience
to God’s will (FC SD IV: 17).
Lutheran
hymnody: LSB 845 –
Where Charity and Love Prevail
Relevancy
of the Book: In our
world of social distress the Epistle to Philemon gives us the paradigm for the
reconciliation between different groups: masters and servants, leaders and the
flock, colleagues. The unity given to the people in Christ is the perfect unity
of sinful people around forgiving God. As a result, we have an example of
encouragement to share the faith not only through the preaching the Word (which
is very important), but also by means of social actions.
Memory
verses: 1:6 and I
pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge
of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
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