A private letter of intercession written by Paul probably from Rome, and sent to Philemon at Colosse # Col 4:7-9

FACTS CONCERNING PHILEMON. He was apparently a member of the church at Colosse, which seems to have held its assemblies in his house # Phm 2

His benevolence, # Phm 5-7

and Paul’s request for him to prepare a lodging, # Phm 22

indicate that he was a man of some means. As Paul had never been in Colosse # Col 2:1

Philemon must have met him elsewhere, possibly in Ephesus, which was not far away. It would seem that he owed his conversion to the apostle # Phm 19

THE STORY OF ONESIMUS. He was a runaway slave of Philemon. It is inferred that he robbed his master and fled to Rome # Phm 18

Here he came under the influence of Paul and was converted # Phm 10

He became a devoted disciple of Christ # Col 4:9

Paul would have chosen to have detained him in Rome as a helper, # Phm 13

but not having the consent of Philemon, he felt it was his duty to send the slave back to his master. So the apostle writes this beautiful letter of intercession, pleading with Philemon to forgive and restore Onesimus to favour. # Phm 14

SYNOPSIS.
(1) The cordial and commendatory greeting # Phm 1-7

(2) The testimonial concerning the changed character of Onesimus # Phm 10,11

(3) The tender appeal for forgiveness of the returning slave # Phm 12-19

(4) Farewell salutations and benediction # Phm 20-25

SPIRITUAL LESSONS from Paul’s example.
(1) The importance of sympathy for the lowly

(2) The duty of obedience to the law on the part of converts: Onesimus must return to his master.

(3) Christian brotherhood obliterates all social and class distinctions