The Letter to Philemon

Who wrote the Letter to Philemon?

The Apostle Paul

Date the Letter was written

Same date as Colossians. 61-63 A.D.

Occasion, Purpose and Content

1. Paul is in Rome under house-arrest.

2. While there, a man named Onesimus came into contact with Paul.

3. This man Onesimus is a slave to another man named Philemon who lived in Colossae (Col. 4-7-9). Onesimus has stolen some goods and run away.

4. While in Rome, Paul leads him to the Lord (vs 10) adn he has turned out to be a real friend and a big help to Paul (vs. 12, 13)

5. Paul realized that Onesimus had a responsibility to his owner and therefore he writes to his owner (who shares the name of this book) and urges him to take Onesimus back and to do so without reserve not only as a slave but as a brother in Christ (vs. 15, 16).

6. Paul says he will pay back anything Onesimus owes (vs. 18).

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