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Philemon was a resident of Colossae. Colossae was about 100 miles west of Ephesus in Asia. It was one of the twin cities of Laodicea and Colossae. Philemon had been converted to Christianity on Paul's Third Missionary Journey. He was well to do, had many slaves and his home housed the early church at Colossae. He had a slave by the name of Onesimus who ran away and found his way to Rome where he eventually came in contact with Paul while Paul was imprisoned there.
He became a real help to Paul, nevertheless, each knew that he would, some day, have to return to Philemon who would then determine his destiny. Paul had written a letter to the Colossians and was sending it there by his friend Tychicus. He decided to send Onesimus along with a word of "recommendation" to Philemon concerning the "destiny" of his friend.
By law, Philemon had every right to kill Onesimus as he was a run away slave, but his forgiveness was surpassed only by God's Grace. Onesimus was condemned by law but saved by the grace of Philemon. We are condemned by Law but saved by the Grace of God. The key to the book is "forgiveness".
| A Recommendation for Forgiveness. | |
|---|---|
| Prayer of Thanksgiving | 1:1-7 |
| The Petition of Paul for Onesimus | 1:8-20 |
| The Promise of Paul to Philemon | 1:21-24 |
| The Conclusion | 1:25 |
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