At a Glance
Philemon at a Glance
Philemon is the shortest of Paul's letters, one page about one man. It is also his most personal. Paul uses all his warmth and skill to ask a friend to forgive.
- Author. Paul, with Timothy (Philemon 1:1). Paul wrote the promise to repay with mine own hand (Philemon 1:19).
- Date. About AD 60–62, from Rome, at the same time as Colossians (Philemon 1:9; Colossians 4:7–9).
- Written To. Philemon, a believer at Colosse whom Paul calls fellowlabourer, along with Apphia, Archippus, and the church that met in Philemon's house (Philemon 1:1–2).
- Setting. Philemon's servant Onesimus had left him and probably wronged him (Philemon 1:15; Philemon 1:18). In Rome he met Paul and was saved: my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds (Philemon 1:10). Paul sends him back with this letter.
- Key Verse. Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved (Philemon 1:16).
- Key Word or Theme. Forgiveness, and the brotherhood the Gospel makes.
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Further reading
For Deeper Study
- Exploring Colossians and PhilemonAmazon John PhillipsA readable expository commentary on both letters from a dispensational, premillennial writer.
- Titus and PhilemonAmazon D. Edmond HiebertA short, careful commentary on both letters.
- 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and PhilemonAmazon H. A. IronsidePlain addresses by a Brethren Bible teacher who was dispensational and premillennial.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
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The Bible is sixty-six books written by about forty men over some fifteen hundred years, yet it tells one story of God's redemption from creation to the new earth, and its center is Jesus Christ.
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