Ellie Osterberger

4/10/21

Exegetical Essay – Part 3

The Letter of Philemon is Paul’s shortest letter, but that does not make it less important.

According to Johnson, Philemon possesses an importance beyond itself as a factor in deciphering

a larger part of the Pauline collection.1 It is unquestioned that this letter is authentically Pauline,

as it was written from Paul in captivity. While Paul was imprisoned, he wrote to Philemon with a

very personal purpose of freeing his runaway slave, Onesimus. The importance of this Pauline

letter can be seen by examining its literary techniques, historical context, and the application of

its meaning to an issue in today’s society.

One literary aspect Paul uses in the Letter to Philemon is genuineness. Paul seems to be

one of the most real writers, meaning that his writing has a purpose and intention. He writes so

that his readers also know that he is human, that he has made mistakes as well, and guides them

in the same way he was guided. In Philemon, Paul writes in a diplomatic, urbane, and witty

style.2 Because Paul’s writing style is so genuine and humane, he writes to Philemon in a

personal manner. One of the ways that he makes his letters so personal is in the way that he

addresses them. Paul starts all of his letters with a greeting, and in verse two of Philemon, he

addresses it as “to the church at your house.”3 This opening statement means that although this

letter is personal, it is also intended for a community of people.

1
Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of the New Testament (Minneapolis; Fortress Press 2010), 337
2
Johnson, 342
3
Anslem Academic Study Bible, Catholic Edition
 Paul’s letter to Philemon differs from others because although the purpose is clear to the

reader, Paul is not direct in exactly what he wants from Philemon. “Paul circles around what he

wants but leaves it to Philemon to draw the conclusion.”4 This is very different from how Paul

typically writes. He is normally direct with his readers, often telling them how to create a new

community within the church. What Paul wanted most from Philemon was for him to realize for

himself that he had joined an assembly whose purpose was to “make God’s justice a reality

already now in this world.”5

Another literary aspect that Johnson points out is Paul’s use of puns in the letter. The

Greek name Onesimus means “useful.” Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus had formerly been

“useless” to him but became “useful” since he had taken on the faith taught by Paul.6 The second

pun that Paul uses is found in the thanksgiving. Paul recalls how Philemon had “refreshed the

hearts of the saints.” Philemon was providing support to fellow Christians with his money. When

Paul speaks of returning Onesimus to Philemon, he states that he wants to benefit from inviting

Onesimus back into his house. This statement brings about the pun. The pun rests on the

reciprocal relationship between patron and client in ancient benefaction. Philemon is honored as

a benefactor of the Christian movement, but in return also receives Onesimus back as a form of

benefaction from Paul. Philemon is both the giver and receiver in this letter.7

In order to better understand Paul’s message in the Letter to Philemon, the historical

context needs to be taken into account. As it was stated earlier, Philemon is similar to both

Colossians and Ephesians. The three letters share similar names, which means that they were

probably written around similar times. These letters seem to be written by both Paul and

4
Anselm Academic Study Bible, Catholic Edition, p. 1997
5
Anselm Academic Study Bible, Catholic Edition, p. 1997
6
Johnson, 343
7
Johnson, 343
Timothy.8 Understanding the time period that these three books were written in, is critical to

grasping the idea of slavery in the book of Philemon. Johnson’s interpretation of the Letter of

Philemon helps us understand the original light in which the text was written.

The Letter of Philemon is essentially a personal note. It greets others in the church but is

written throughout in the second-person singular. The intention of this letter is also personal:

Paul wants Philemon to receive back his runaway slave. In Philemon 17 the verse, “Receive him

as you would me,” makes this note from Paul to Philemon a letter of recommendation.9 It makes

the most sense to say that the books of Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians were written during

Paul’s lifetime. The three letters of the Bible are closely linked by the key figure, Tychicus. This

emerges because Paul was in prison at the same time as the founder of the Colossian community,

Epaphras. Both Paul and Epaphras are later joined by Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave. Paul

and Epaphras are given news about the Christian faith in the Colossian church. Epaphras asks

Paul to write in support of his ministry and as he does this, he also writes a letter of support for

Onesimus, which go on to be delivered together. The connection here lies in the fact that

Philemon’s congregation is among the house of the church of Colossae, so the letters of

Philemon and Colossians are connected. This is why the letters are constructed so similarly and

arrive at the same time.10

The main message of Paul’s letter to Philemon is to accept his slave Onesimus back into

his house. Paul is not talking about Philemon’s physical house, but rather using the phrase the

house as a metaphor for the church. Paul wants Philemon to invite Onesimus into “his house,” or

the church, as a brother in Christ.11 Philemon was a rich man who was head of the church in

8
Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of the New Testament (Minneapolis; Fortress Press 2010), 338
9
Johnson, 338
10
Johnson, 341
11
Johnson, 342
Colossae. His wealth came with the power of owning slaves as well. As Catholics in today’s

world, we cannot imagine the idea of owning slaves, but we also have to consider the historical

time when the letter was written. Slave ownership was very common, especially for those who

were rich. Johnson draws on the effects of slavery in the Roman Empire. According to Johnson,

the slavery actually helped expand Christianity.12 The Roman Empire was divided into three

statuses: citizen, noncitizen, and slave. Slaves during this time were likely from Africa and Asia

because the land was easily conquered by the empire.13 Since the empire controlled the land, they

began to control the people, making them slaves. In some aspects, there was no distinction

between the social classes because the people of Rome used one universal language to preach the

message. Latin was used to preach the Word of God and easily spread because the Roman

Empire was such a hot spot for trade. Christianity grew as a result of trade because travelers

would come through to buy and sell goods but also leave with this new idea of faith.14

In no way is this letter encouraging slavery; rather it encourages the forgiveness between

master and slave. Forgiveness between the two shows that all those who follow Christ have

spiritual equality. The letter written by Paul is intended to encourage Philemon to forgive

Onesimus. This letter illustrates the importance of love and forgiveness to others. In order to

forgive, we must use the grace given to us by God.

Paul wants Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ. He wants Philemon to

forgive Onesimus and welcome him back. In other words, he wants them to reconcile their

relationship. Paul is trying to establish a similarity between the forgiveness of Philemon and

Onesimus compared to the forgiveness of God and Philemon. Paul reminds Philemon that we all

12
Johnson, 24
13
Johnson, 24
14
Johnson, 24
fall short of God’s glory at times, but it is important to forgive one another just as God forgives

us. Forgiveness between Philemon and Onesimus allows for an established community of free

people to form. Paul wants Philemon to help rebuild God’s community. In order for Philemon to

do this, he needs to include all those who are baptized in Christ, regardless of slave or free. In

order for Philemon’s faith to be effective, he must turn from the injustice endemic of the past and

turn to the new creation of acceptance and inclusion.15 Paul wants Philemon to receive back his

runaway slave.16 The intention of the letter is to ask Philemon to release Onesimus as his slave

because he is no longer property, but a brother in faith.

In the Letter of Philemon, Paul uses the word slave to describe the relationship between

master, Philemon, and slave, Onesimus. Onesimus was indeed Philemon’s slave. Paul met

Onesimus in prison and that is where Onesimus becomes a Christ-follower. Being a Christ-

follower makes him a “beloved brother.” The message of Paul’s text is to reconcile Philemon

and his slave Onesimus as “beloved brothers” making them equals before the Lord.17

Paul’s message of acceptance in the letter to Philemon can easily be connected to

contemporary issues that exist in today’s world. The thing that I think can be most connected to

the message of Philemon’s letter is the Black Lives Matter movement. Both the letter and the

movement showcase the inequality and injustice that exist in the world, in the past and the

present. While inequality and injustice are showcased, similarities also exist in the idea of

reconciliation and change. For that change to occur, we must reconcile within our own

communities.

15
Anselm Academic Study Bible, Catholic Edition, p. 1997
16
Johnson, 338
17
Johnson, 342
 One of the most important things to point out in this letter is the distinction of social

classes. This hierarchy of society in the Roman Empire can be compared to the contemporary

issue of privilege, specifically white privilege. Now, it is no secret that privilege exists among

social class, which I think is clearly portrayed in Paul’s letter to Philemon. Those with more

money have more opportunity. In the letter, Philemon was a rich man who was head of the

church, therefore he had a lot of money, which also meant that he could buy another human

being and make him his slave. Comparing this to today’s current issues, privilege does exist

amongst social class, but I think it is seen most when looking at race. It is the biggest privilege to

be white in America. Society today is dominated by white people in power, leading to violent

acts within African American communities.18 This is statistically shown when looking at police

brutality. African American men in today’s world face the highest lifetime risk of being killed by

a police officer. One in every one-thousand black male will be killed, in comparison to the white

males’ lifetime risk of thirty-nine in every one-hundred thousand.19 This statistic alone shows

that white privilege exists.

In the Letter to Philemon, Paul writes to Philemon asking him to receive back his

runaway slave. Paul wants Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, thus seeing him

as an equal. This statement is crucial to understanding society today. As a society, we must

recognize the inequality that exists and act on it in order to make a change. Philemon in the letter

is just like society today.20 Paul is calling Philemon’s attention towards the belief that we are all

18
“About,” Black Lives Matter, October 16, 2020, https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/.
19
Frank Edwards, Hedwig Lee, and Michael Esposito, “Risk of Being Killed by Police Use of Force in the United
States by Age, Race–Ethnicity, and Sex,” PNAS (National Academy of Sciences, August 20, 2019),
https://www.pnas.org/content/116/34/16793.
20
Admin, “Are Philemon and the White Church ‘Older Brothers’? (Final Reflections on Paul's Letter to Philemon),”
onewaypublishing.co.uk, September 20, 2020, https://onewaypublishing.co.uk/2020/07/19/are-philemon-and-the-
white-church-older-brothers-final-reflections-on-pauls-letter-to-philemon/.
one in Christ. The Black Lives Matter Movement is society’s call that we are one body, and in

order for this to occur, we must act on it and stand up for those who are oppressed.

Not only are the ideas of injustice and inequality portrayed in Philemon, but the message

of reconciliation is significant. Paul wanted Philemon to welcome, embrace, forgive, restore, and

reconcile his relationship with Onesimus.21 The intention of Paul’s letter was for Philemon and

Onesimus to start their relationship all over again, but this time Onesimus would be a free man.

The two men are then considered equals because they are brothers in Christ. There is no longer a

distinction between the two, rather there is a fellowship as “beloved brothers.”22 Similarly to

Philemon, society needs to accept the past and move forward. Remember the past, learn from it,

and join as one to break racial barriers.

21
Scot McKnight et al., “Restoring Philemon's ‘No Longer!",” Jesus Creed | A Blog by Scot McKnight, January 30,
2020, https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/january/restoring-honor-to-philemon.html.

22
Johnson, 343