October 29, 2008

Philemon 1:1-25

v1) What is the purpose of Paul's letter to Philemon?

Paul wrote this letter from Rome in about A.D. 60, when he was under house arrest. Onesimus was a domestic slave who belonged to Philemon, a wealthy man and a member of the church in Colose. Onesimus had run away from Philemon and had made his way to Rome where he met Paul who apparently led him to Christ. Paul convinced Onesimus that running from his problems wouldn't solve them, and he persuaded Onesimus to return to his master. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to ask him to be reconciled to his runaway slave.

v1-2) Who were Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus?

Philemon was a Greek landowner living in Colose. He had been converted under Paul's ministry. Apphia may have been Philemon's wife. Archippus may have been Philemon's son, or perhaps an elder in the Colossian church. In either case, Paul included him as a recipient of the letter, possibly so Archippus could read the letter with Philemon and encourage him to take Paul's advice. The Colossian church met in Philemon's home. The early churches often would meet in people's homes.

(The One Year Bible Companion)