The book of Philemon, written by the Apostle Paul, addresses important dynamics for faith leaders confronting institutional evils and interpersonal conflicts.
The presenting issue is Onesimus, an escaped slave, came to Paul. Paul is going to send him back, but not before Paul writes an appeal letter to Onesimus’s master Philemon, infused with Christ-centered values and ethics for Philemon to consider as he received Onesimus.
The Roman economy depended heavily on slavery, with slaves making up a significant portion of the population. Enslaved people were considered property, commodities to be bought and sold for their master’s benefit.
Paul did not outright say Philemon should free Onesimus. Instead, Paul appealed to Philemon’s loving reputation and his faith in Jesus, asking him to consider taking Onesimus back, “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.” Rather than directly telling Philemon what to do and thus alienating others, Paul appealed to higher Christian values.
The book of Philemon can be used today to help focus church members on the values of King Jesus and the familial ties that bind us together as we face institutional, societal, personal and ethical challenges in our day.
Here are several resources I recommend as you prepare to teach or preach this short yet impactful book.
NIV Application Commentary: Colossians and Philemon by David Garland
The NIV Application Commentary is a steady go-to that provides analysis of technical exegetical details, as well as broad application.
David Garland provides a good introduction to Philemon and wrestles with questions, such as: “What brought Onesimus to Paul?” “What did Paul want Philemon to do?” and “What does Philemon mean for us today?”
Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary: Philippians and Philemon by Todd Still
Todd Still notes Philemon largely has escaped the canon of many church members.
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While including introductory elements regarding the nature of Paul’s shortest letter, Still spends time discussing critical issues, such as authorship, date and place of writing, and gives a detailed outline of the entire letter.
Still breaks Philemon down verse-by-verse and notes the centrality of union in Christ and the primacy of love in all things, with everything else a far second.
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon by N.T. Wright
This series is helpful for synthesizing world-renowned scholarship by N.T. Wright in accessible ways for preaching and teaching.
Wright subdivides Philemon into three sections and walks through each with relevant exegesis. He first discusses the greetings (vv. 1-7), Paul’s appeal (vv. 7-14) and then Paul’s perspective (vv. 15-25). Each section also brings congregational and personal application in full view.
Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley
Slavery was the norm in the Ancient Near East. Paul, and the letter to Philemon specifically, have been used by some to argue for the institution of slavery since then.
Esau McCaulley makes important notes regarding the slavery in the Ancient Near East—which often resulted from debt and war—and the racialized slavery that existed within the United States. With an escaped slave as the presenting issue of Philemon, it is important to gain the perspective of someone who understands the ramifications of slavery better than I do.
McCaulley notes: “Oneness in Christ transforms relationships. Society values those with power and status. Christians treat all people—slave, free, or prisoner—as a family. This idea that slaves and masters are family undermines slavery.”
McCaulley’s work is exceedingly helpful in understanding Paul’s pastoral approach to a problem of personal and societal concern.
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Philemon is an excellent resource for pastor’s confronting interpersonal disputes, as well as matters deeply engrained in society. By appealing to personal relationships, recognizing the authority of Christ, and calling for the way of love to characterize Philemon’s response to Onesimus, Paul challenged Philemon to uphold high Christian ideals. In Philemon, Paul skillfully executes and demonstrates pastoral tact and practice.
John Whitten is senior pastor of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene. He has a Master of Divinity from Logsdon Seminary, now Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.
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