Philemon 1King James Version
The shortest letter of Paul, one chapter. He writes to a wealthy believer named Philemon about a runaway slave named Onesimus, who has been converted in Rome. Paul is sending him back. He pleads, not commands: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus. Receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account. A small letter that helped end slavery centuries later.
From a Roman prison, Paul writes to Philemon about Onesimus, the slave who ran away and has since become a Christian under Paul's influence. Paul returns him with a personal appeal: receive him not as property but as a brother. Paul offers to cover any debt Onesimus owes, and gently reminds Philemon that he owes Paul his own soul.
The gospel, applied honestly, forces Philemon to see his runaway slave as a brother in Christ, which makes the old power arrangement nearly impossible to maintain.
16: "Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?" The phrase reframes Onesimus from property to person, placing the burden of response entirely on Philemon.
Rome, around 60 AD. A prisoner dictating beside a lamp, sending a runaway slave back across the miles with a single sheet of papyrus as his protection. The letter will be read aloud in front of the whole housechurch, which means Philemon's response will be public. Paul knows this.
Paul: prisoner and apostle, writes as Onesimus's advocate; Philemon: Colossian housechurch leader and slave owner, the letter's audience; Onesimus: runaway slave, now converted, the subject of Paul's appeal; Timothy: named co-sender.
The shortest of Paul's letters is also the most personally risky. Paul applies gospel logic directly to Roman slavery without a political program: he does not command manumission, but he stacks the moral pressure so high that keeping Onesimus as a slave becomes almost indefensible for a believer who takes the letter seriously.
Paul writes with warmth, but the warmth has steel in it. Every expression of love and confidence is also a careful constraint on Philemon's freedom to refuse. The reader feels the weight of what is not said outright.
1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.