This tiny book is a letter from Paul and Timothy to Philemon--one person (and his friends and his home church). As to how to say his name--I’ve always said it Fie-LEE-mun, but I have a friend who calls him FILL-ee-mahn; I don’t know which is right.
Paul opens with joy again. Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the saints, as Paul has heard; this is a noble goal, yes?
It’s not long before Paul gets to the point. He talks about a man named Onesimus (Oh-NESS-uh-muss) who was mentioned by name in the letter to the Colossians and is now being sent back to Philemon. Onesimus used to live with Philemon, but he left (or was taken--the letter is not entirely clear) and he is now returning.
Paul speaks boldly, asking Philemon to take Onesimus back and offering to pay any debt he owes.
There are words in this letter that hint that Paul may no longer be in prison. He calls himself “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” (v 9) and says he had fathered or “begotten” Onesimus (brought him to know the Lord) “in my imprisonment” (v 12). In the end he refers to a “fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” and also to his “fellow workers” (v 24); there are four of them. Paul also writes as though he expects to visit Philemon soon.
Regardless of his physical state, Paul’s heart is chained to Christ.
Again, Paul ends even this short letter with a message of grace.
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