Philemon

The recent scholarship on Philemon has struggled to determine the purpose of this letter, or at least the central reason we have it in the canon. It is seldom given attention, but there is thought to be a chiastic structure within the book. Depending upon your perspective on the reason for a chiasm, you would then either see v14 or v23-25 as the main point of the letter with v14 focusing on freedom in the gospel and v23-25 drawing out Paul’s imprisonment and yet freedom in Christ.

The audience of Philemon is Philemon himself and the house church he was a part of. The letter was to be read aloud to them all which would both teach Philemon directly, the house church as a whole and enable them to hold Philemon accountable.

Paul’s desire was to see Philemon and Onesiumus reconciled, and he used this occasion to encourage Philemon to deal graciously with his once slave, Onesiumus. This was an opportunity for restoration between two men, to be seen as an example to the entire church.
Paul, who is in chains himself and held captive against his will is urging Philemon to be reconciled to his once slave. There is a clear picture of freedom and bondage in verses 12-14, that though Paul is in chains he is bound to nothing but the gospel. He is free because he is in Christ Jesus, and in his bondage and freedom he would like Philemon to see that Onesiumus has also been set free by the gospel.

Paul publically asks Philemon to be reconciled to encourage his obedience to the Lord and to Paul. Because we have been changed by the gospel, and have been made a new creation in Christ we are free to be obedient to his will above our own. That is what Paul wants for Philemon.

Finally, just as our sin has been taken on by Christ and he has paid our penalty, Paul has taken on Onesiumus’ debt in v 18. Paul is asking Philemon to forgive as Christ has forgiven him, to see that the debt of offense and sin has been bought and paid for by the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We who are in Christ have been forgiven much and therefore are called to forgive much. Philemon is urged to remember the penalty of sin that Christ has taken from him, and the granting of freedom he has been given by being in Christ. As such, Onesiumus is his brother and fellow heir in the promise of salvation.