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Name - This Epistle to Philemon is a private letter, the only one of its kind
preserved in the writings of the Apostle Paul. It belongs among the Prison Epistles of
Paul's first imprisonment in Rome and is closely associated with the Epistle to the Colossians.
The date of writing is probably A.D. 60. Theme- Philemon was a resident of Colosse, apparently a wealthy slave owner who had been converted under Paul's ministry. The letter concerns Oneismus, a run-away slave of Philemon, who had been converted through the ministry of Paul in Rome and had become on of his co-labourers in that city. Onesimus had not only escaped from Philemon, but apparently was guilty of some sort of fraud. His repentance and salvation, therefore, required that he return to make restitution. Paul's purpose in writing this letter was to bring about complete reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus and to promote the future Christian growth and usefulness of both. Outline - This simple outline sets forth the contents of the letter: I. Salutation (Vrs. 1-3) II. Thanksgiving for Philemon (Vrs. 4-7) III. The Entreaty for Onesimus (Vrs. 8-21) IV. A Statement of the Apostle's Affairs; Greetings and Benediction (Vrs. 22-25) |
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