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Bible #57
Philemon (Bible #57), ESV
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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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First published May 11, 2009
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About the author
Paul the Apostle
433 books75 followersPaul commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, was a Christian apostle who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world Generally regarded as one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age, he founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe from the mid-40s to the mid-50s AD.
The main source of information on Paul's life and works is the Acts of the Apostles book in the New Testament, with approximately half of its content documenting them. According to the Acts, Paul lived as a Pharisee and participated in the persecution of early disciples of Jesus, possibly Hellenised diaspora Jews converted to Christianity, in the area of Jerusalem, prior to his conversion. Some time after having approved of the execution of Stephen, Paul was traveling on the road to Damascus so that he might find any Christians there and bring them "bound to Jerusalem". At midday, a light brighter than the sun shone around both him and those with him, causing all to fall to the ground, with the risen Christ verbally addressing Paul regarding his persecution. Having been made blind, along with being commanded to enter the city, his sight was restored three days later by Ananias of Damascus. After these events, Paul was baptized, beginning immediately to proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth was the Jewish messiah and the Son of God. He made three missionary journeys to spread the Christian message to non-Jews communities in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Cyprus, Judea and Syria, as narrated in the Acts.
Fourteen of the 27 books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul. Seven of the Pauline epistles are undisputed by scholars as being authentic, with varying degrees of argument about the remainder. Pauline authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews is not asserted in the Epistle itself and was already doubted in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It was almost unquestioningly accepted from the 5th to the 16th centuries that Paul was the author of Hebrews, but that view is now almost universally rejected by scholars. The other six are believed by some scholars to have come from followers writing in his name, using material from Paul's surviving letters and letters written by him that no longer survive. Other scholars argue that the idea of a pseudonymous author for the disputed epistles raises many problems.
Today, Paul's epistles continue to be vital roots of the theology, worship and pastoral life in the Latin and Protestant traditions of the West, as well as the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox traditions of the East. Paul's influence on Christian thought and practice has been characterized as being as "profound as it is pervasive", among that of many other apostles and missionaries involved in the spread of the Christian faith.
The main source of information on Paul's life and works is the Acts of the Apostles book in the New Testament, with approximately half of its content documenting them. According to the Acts, Paul lived as a Pharisee and participated in the persecution of early disciples of Jesus, possibly Hellenised diaspora Jews converted to Christianity, in the area of Jerusalem, prior to his conversion. Some time after having approved of the execution of Stephen, Paul was traveling on the road to Damascus so that he might find any Christians there and bring them "bound to Jerusalem". At midday, a light brighter than the sun shone around both him and those with him, causing all to fall to the ground, with the risen Christ verbally addressing Paul regarding his persecution. Having been made blind, along with being commanded to enter the city, his sight was restored three days later by Ananias of Damascus. After these events, Paul was baptized, beginning immediately to proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth was the Jewish messiah and the Son of God. He made three missionary journeys to spread the Christian message to non-Jews communities in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Cyprus, Judea and Syria, as narrated in the Acts.
Fourteen of the 27 books in the New Testament have traditionally been attributed to Paul. Seven of the Pauline epistles are undisputed by scholars as being authentic, with varying degrees of argument about the remainder. Pauline authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews is not asserted in the Epistle itself and was already doubted in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It was almost unquestioningly accepted from the 5th to the 16th centuries that Paul was the author of Hebrews, but that view is now almost universally rejected by scholars. The other six are believed by some scholars to have come from followers writing in his name, using material from Paul's surviving letters and letters written by him that no longer survive. Other scholars argue that the idea of a pseudonymous author for the disputed epistles raises many problems.
Today, Paul's epistles continue to be vital roots of the theology, worship and pastoral life in the Latin and Protestant traditions of the West, as well as the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox traditions of the East. Paul's influence on Christian thought and practice has been characterized as being as "profound as it is pervasive", among that of many other apostles and missionaries involved in the spread of the Christian faith.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
October 25, 2018
5 stars
This tiny book speaks volumes about godly love. I particularly like the verse in which Paul asks Philemon to put whatever Onesimus owes him onto Paul’s account. Being willing to take on another person’s debt, to clear their account with another person, to grant the pair a fresh start between them as brothers in Christ, is pure love and an extraordinary example of grace. I thank God for this example, and I ask Him to help me live up to it, to live out that sort of grace.
This tiny book speaks volumes about godly love. I particularly like the verse in which Paul asks Philemon to put whatever Onesimus owes him onto Paul’s account. Being willing to take on another person’s debt, to clear their account with another person, to grant the pair a fresh start between them as brothers in Christ, is pure love and an extraordinary example of grace. I thank God for this example, and I ask Him to help me live up to it, to live out that sort of grace.
December 20, 2022
This is a short letter from Paul to Philemon emploring him to accept a fellow brother unto him and treat him as he would treat Paul himself.
April 5, 2019
I find it interesting that this ninth letter which would become part of the New Testament was written to an individual, yet was chosen by God to be part of His holy word. Did Paul have any idea as he wrote this that it would become not just a letter to a beloved friend, but a word for all ages? That his seemingly private letter would be read by millions?
In any case, this letter makes me wonder why anyone who called themselves Christian could have used the Bible to justify slavery. If Paul's fervent request that Philemon treat his slave Onesimus as a dearly loved brother did not put an end to the institution of slavery, it surely should have put an end to many of its practices.
This is a good reminder of the human tendency to find ways to support what we've already chosen to believe, the tendency to not come to belief (in anything) as a result of evidence, but to use evidence as props to support our beliefs. I take this as a warning, not imagining that I am "above" doing the same.
In any case, this letter makes me wonder why anyone who called themselves Christian could have used the Bible to justify slavery. If Paul's fervent request that Philemon treat his slave Onesimus as a dearly loved brother did not put an end to the institution of slavery, it surely should have put an end to many of its practices.
This is a good reminder of the human tendency to find ways to support what we've already chosen to believe, the tendency to not come to belief (in anything) as a result of evidence, but to use evidence as props to support our beliefs. I take this as a warning, not imagining that I am "above" doing the same.
March 8, 2025
lol basically just paul telling him to forgive his slave... really good picture though for how we are supposed to forgive and forgive and forgive!!! also it's like one chapter so u can easily read this!!!
February 19, 2016
Philemon is a one chapter long book ... where Paul is asking a Christian man he knows, Philemon, to forgive and take in Onesimus; the man's runaway slave I believe. Intriguing, short letter. I quite enjoyed it.
(Note: If you want to read a fiction book based on this story of Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon, then try out Twice Freed. I remember it being really good!!)
(Note: If you want to read a fiction book based on this story of Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon, then try out Twice Freed. I remember it being really good!!)
November 25, 2025
Besides the literal reason for the writing of this letter [read it, it's basically a page] this epistle shows an example of what Christ did for us - He offers to pay the sin debt of all who will trust in Him. Have you trusted Him?
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
May 20, 2019
This is one of my favorite books of the Bible . It has so much interesting history. There's a lot more to the Bible than just reading it to understand it, I've learned that learning about the history behind it makes so much more sense .
March 1, 2021
2/28/21: I can't say my perspective on Philemon has changed much since my reading last year. The TPT does have some interesting notes that emphasize the context of this situation, though! While pretty much all of Paul's letters were carried by others to wherever they were supposed to end up, in this case, the letter carrier was also its chief subject: the escaped slave, Onesimus. Basically, the apostle Paul was asking Onesimus's former master to forgive him for running away (and possibly stealing from him), and Onesimus himself was the one who had to present Paul's request to that former master, in the form of this letter.
It's not too hard to imagine how awkward that probably was at first, on both sides. Thankfully, we have reason to believe this situation must have turned out well--apparently, church tradition holds that Onesimus became the bishop of the church of Ephesus after Timothy's death (had he been a slave his whole life, this path seems unlikely).
What stories lie behind the surface of the text! I personally hope we get to hear more about some of these stories when we get to Aslan's country ;-)
6/27/20: This brief letter by Paul, one of the shortest books in the Bible, has one main purpose: to convince a man named Philemon not to mistreat his escaped slave Onesimus when he returns to Philemon, his former master.
The text implies that both Philemon and Onesimus are Christian believers. It's an awkward, real-life example of some of the guidelines Paul sets out in his other letters about master-slave relations.
I won't pretend that I fully understand the dynamics here. It's a world that--in theory, at least--is far removed from our own.
Honestly . . . I prefer to think of this letter, more than anything, as proof that humans have always been . . . human. Even after we're converted, we still have a lot of work to do with ourselves. Being Christian doesn't mean we're flawless, obviously. Far from it.
We run a grave risk of missing our own blind spots if we scoff at a man like Philemon. Of COURSE slavery was wrong back then, just as it's wrong now.
Does this mean our culture is better than Philemon's? I'm not so sure, though perhaps instead of making an overall judgement, we are better off pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of both eras.
Anyway . . . how fascinating would it be to know how this situation turned out? Did it have a happy ending? I hope so! (Paul seems to think it would, although perhaps he was being optimistic)
It's not too hard to imagine how awkward that probably was at first, on both sides. Thankfully, we have reason to believe this situation must have turned out well--apparently, church tradition holds that Onesimus became the bishop of the church of Ephesus after Timothy's death (had he been a slave his whole life, this path seems unlikely).
What stories lie behind the surface of the text! I personally hope we get to hear more about some of these stories when we get to Aslan's country ;-)
6/27/20: This brief letter by Paul, one of the shortest books in the Bible, has one main purpose: to convince a man named Philemon not to mistreat his escaped slave Onesimus when he returns to Philemon, his former master.
The text implies that both Philemon and Onesimus are Christian believers. It's an awkward, real-life example of some of the guidelines Paul sets out in his other letters about master-slave relations.
I won't pretend that I fully understand the dynamics here. It's a world that--in theory, at least--is far removed from our own.
Honestly . . . I prefer to think of this letter, more than anything, as proof that humans have always been . . . human. Even after we're converted, we still have a lot of work to do with ourselves. Being Christian doesn't mean we're flawless, obviously. Far from it.
We run a grave risk of missing our own blind spots if we scoff at a man like Philemon. Of COURSE slavery was wrong back then, just as it's wrong now.
Does this mean our culture is better than Philemon's? I'm not so sure, though perhaps instead of making an overall judgement, we are better off pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of both eras.
Anyway . . . how fascinating would it be to know how this situation turned out? Did it have a happy ending? I hope so! (Paul seems to think it would, although perhaps he was being optimistic)
June 6, 2020
Paul addresses this particular epistle specifically to Philemon regarding one issue that causes him concern. Paul is concerned that Philemon will not release his slave Onesimus and grant his freedom. He set his personal appeal in a communal context showing what Philemon does with his slave is not entirely personal matter, but a public concern for the church which is a community of grace that shapes the value of its people.
I found this appeal very touching especially in the context of current happenings. Paul especially follows the context of Jesus' life in even offering to take care of anything that was owed to Philemon by Onesimus. Paul becomes a vibrant example of what Christ would have each of us do to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ along with those we would hope to bring to Christ.
I found this appeal very touching especially in the context of current happenings. Paul especially follows the context of Jesus' life in even offering to take care of anything that was owed to Philemon by Onesimus. Paul becomes a vibrant example of what Christ would have each of us do to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ along with those we would hope to bring to Christ.
July 16, 2018
The reading of God's Word is so remarkable that there is nothing that I can say to make it any better. Please, if you are a lost soul, turn to God! He can heal you and give you the greatest peace that you will ever know!
October 24, 2019
A letter from Paul to Philemon, regarding the forgiveness of a runaway slave. A good and appropriate example of Christian humility and forgiveness.
December 30, 2025
Great reading!
April 29, 2021
We are ALL equal before God!
December 4, 2024
One thing I love about this book is that “Onesimus” lives up to his name which means “useful”
January 4, 2021
Last Bible read of the year. I'm getting there. Slowly, but surely!
MY BIBLE CHALLENGE:
In January 2015 I set myself the challenge to read the complete Bible within a year. I discovered that was an unrealistic challenge, and decided to pick up my Bible as and when I felt ready to read more of it. Here is a link to all the reviews in my Bible challenge so far:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
MY BIBLE CHALLENGE:
In January 2015 I set myself the challenge to read the complete Bible within a year. I discovered that was an unrealistic challenge, and decided to pick up my Bible as and when I felt ready to read more of it. Here is a link to all the reviews in my Bible challenge so far:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
December 17, 2022
Really short and super specific, but my Bible study buddies and I pulled out a few nuggets, most notably how a person of authority should appeal in love to the best of those underneath them -- especially in the church.
June 27, 2014
Words from the Book of Philemon:
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
BLESS THE NAME OF JESUS!
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
BLESS THE NAME OF JESUS!
January 1, 2022
Social and cultural barriers should never exist in the body of Christ. However, as we are a fallen people saved by the grace of God, we sometimes let it wiggle its way into the Christian fellowship. We may not be as drastic as having slaves, but how many times do we let things like the social status and "eccentricity" of people affect how we treat them? Probably a lot more than we realize. I know I've done it without realizing it a lot of times.
Paul addresses this topic in his letter to his friend Philemon, whose slave, Onesimus, had run away and later became a Christian. It's a good reminder to all Christians to forgive unconditionally and give grace—and to go the extra mile to "keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." I find it so amazing that Paul would go to the extent of saying he would pay off any of Onesimus' debts. He was so committed to bringing them together and having them forgive each other because he loved them both so much. He did so much for the sake of unity, even at his own expense. Are we willing to do the same?
Paul addresses this topic in his letter to his friend Philemon, whose slave, Onesimus, had run away and later became a Christian. It's a good reminder to all Christians to forgive unconditionally and give grace—and to go the extra mile to "keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." I find it so amazing that Paul would go to the extent of saying he would pay off any of Onesimus' debts. He was so committed to bringing them together and having them forgive each other because he loved them both so much. He did so much for the sake of unity, even at his own expense. Are we willing to do the same?
November 5, 2021
The book of Philemon is the fifty-seventh book in the Bible, and it is the eighteenth book in the New Testament. At one chapter, is it one of the shortest books in the Bible. It was written by the Apostle Paul during one of his imprisonments in Rome. It is clear that Paul had great love for Philemon, and that they had a close relationship at some point.
This letter was sent by Paul to Philemon by his runaway slave, Onesimus. In this letter, Paul pleads Philemon to have compassion and forgiveness for Onesimus, even though he had wronged Philemon by running away. This book shows that God cares not only for humanity in general, but also for individuals and their problems.
The focus on one family and their issues makes this an appealing book. Sometimes it seems that God doesn’t truly care for us and our “little problems” in the grand scheme of things, but that’s not true. He cares very much for all we care about. The emphasis on forgiveness also points us to Jesus and the forgiveness we find in him.
This letter was sent by Paul to Philemon by his runaway slave, Onesimus. In this letter, Paul pleads Philemon to have compassion and forgiveness for Onesimus, even though he had wronged Philemon by running away. This book shows that God cares not only for humanity in general, but also for individuals and their problems.
The focus on one family and their issues makes this an appealing book. Sometimes it seems that God doesn’t truly care for us and our “little problems” in the grand scheme of things, but that’s not true. He cares very much for all we care about. The emphasis on forgiveness also points us to Jesus and the forgiveness we find in him.
October 28, 2019
I found this work of immense interest and importance.
The compilation of historical accounts, wisdom & proverbial insights, and thought provoking texts, along with descriptive and informative footnotes, are of great value.
Explanations, including varying scholarly views depicting the material related in this book, are available for each of the 66 individual books of the Bible.
This book is but one of the individual 66 books/letters which were written by forty different authors over at least 1500 years in three different languages on three different continents, which comprise the Bible.
Read for life-related reasons and personal research.
Overall, a great resource for the researcher, enthusiast, and devotee.
The compilation of historical accounts, wisdom & proverbial insights, and thought provoking texts, along with descriptive and informative footnotes, are of great value.
Explanations, including varying scholarly views depicting the material related in this book, are available for each of the 66 individual books of the Bible.
This book is but one of the individual 66 books/letters which were written by forty different authors over at least 1500 years in three different languages on three different continents, which comprise the Bible.
Read for life-related reasons and personal research.
Overall, a great resource for the researcher, enthusiast, and devotee.
March 16, 2022
1st time reading July 2020: Anything written from the pov of Paul always blows my mind! Always filled with love and warning!! Did he know that his letters would act as a word for the future ages and generations? Astonishing.
2nd time reading March 2022: Paul’s approach on slavery is fascinating. There is something to be said about his letter to Philemon, his call for the release and freedom of Philemon’s slave Onesimus, displays Paul’s Christ-like brotherly love and liberty towards humanity. Who would have thought that a simple letter, a plea, would become the ultimate example on virtue that the church would pour itself over?
2nd time reading March 2022: Paul’s approach on slavery is fascinating. There is something to be said about his letter to Philemon, his call for the release and freedom of Philemon’s slave Onesimus, displays Paul’s Christ-like brotherly love and liberty towards humanity. Who would have thought that a simple letter, a plea, would become the ultimate example on virtue that the church would pour itself over?
January 27, 2012
I never knew this personal letter was so amazing. It's so short a review would really be a spoiler, but suffice to say I wish I could write a letter half as powerful in its reasoning, half as effective in its plea, half as witty in its arguments...or half as compassionate at its heart.
May 28, 2021
I love this letter from Paul to Philemon asking Philemon to forgive the debt of Onesimus and to see him no longer as his runaway servant but as a brother in Christ. Paul even offers to take on the debt that Onesimus owed Philemon. This is in the top 3 favorite letters of Paul’s.
February 19, 2014
Paul's letter to Philemon. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Bless the name of Jesus!
March 17, 2021
I highly recommend pairing The Bible Recap studies (free podcast/youtube) to your Bible reading. It's helped to bring a fresh perspective to these well-loved books.
November 27, 2015
Excellent ...
July 26, 2018
A letter from Paul, asking for mercy for a runaway slave who recently converted to Christianity. I enjoyed reading this, short as it was!
Read
January 1, 2025I had never read/studied this before, and really enjoyed doing historical context with Alex. We spent a week of evenings this summer doing it.
January 10, 2021
I believe I reread this book of the Bible at least once a year, if not twice... I should just memorize it in one piece... <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews