Philemon is book 18 of the 27 books of the New Testament and belongs to the Paul's Letters section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- New Testament · Paul's Letters
- Genre
- Letter (personal letter of appeal)
- Author (traditional)
- The apostle Paul, writing from prison, with Timothy named as co-sender.
- Other views on authorship
- Almost all scholars accept Philemon as an authentic letter of Paul.
- Date (traditional)
- About AD 60–62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, around the same time as Colossians.
- Other views on dating
- Mid-50s to early 60s AD; some place it during an imprisonment in Ephesus rather than Rome.
- Chapters
- 1
- Verses
- 25
- Reading time
- About 2 minutes (451 words in the BSB)
What is Philemon about?
Philemon was a believer, probably in Colossae, whose house hosted a church. His slave Onesimus had left — perhaps running away, perhaps after wronging him — and somehow met Paul in prison. There Onesimus came to faith and became deeply useful to Paul (his name means 'useful', and Paul plays on it).
Paul could have used his authority, but instead he appeals on the basis of love. He asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul himself, and offers to pay anything Onesimus owes. He hints that he expects Philemon to do even more than he asks.
The letter does not directly attack slavery as an institution, a point readers have long discussed. But it plants a powerful idea: in Christ, master and slave are brothers, and that new reality must reshape how they treat each other.
Outline of Philemon
| VersesVv. | Section |
|---|---|
| vv. 1–3 | Greeting Paul and Timothy greet Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and the church in his house. |
| vv. 4–7 | Thanksgiving Paul thanks God for Philemon's love and faith, which refresh other believers. |
| vv. 8–22 | The appeal for Onesimus Receive him as a brother; charge any debt to me; prepare a guest room for me. |
| vv. 23–25 | Final greetings Greetings from Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke. |
Key themes
- Reconciliation. Paul stands between Philemon and Onesimus, offering to absorb the cost of the wrong. Many readers see in this a small picture of what Christ does for sinners.
- A new family. Faith in Christ makes a slave and his master brothers. The letter shows the gospel quietly overturning social categories.
- Love rather than command. Paul chooses persuasion over orders, wanting Philemon's kindness to be freely given rather than forced.
Key people and places
- Paul — Writes from prison and pleads for Onesimus.
- Philemon — A believer and host of a house church; Onesimus's master.
- Onesimus — A slave who became a Christian while with Paul.
- Apphia and Archippus — Members of Philemon's household and church, possibly his wife and son.
- Epaphras — A fellow prisoner who sends greetings.
Places: Colossae (implied), Rome or Ephesus (Paul's prison).
Key verses in Philemon
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.”
“For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.”
“So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.”
How Philemon fits the big story
Philemon is a close-up of the gospel at work in a single household. It pairs naturally with Colossians, which was carried to the same town and names Onesimus as a faithful brother. The idea that in Christ there is no longer slave or free, stated in Galatians, becomes personal here. Coming just before Hebrews in the New Testament, this little letter shows that the big story of reconciliation with God through Jesus is meant to change ordinary relationships too.
How to read Philemon
At 1 chapter a day you can read Philemon in 1 day — in one sitting. Read it aloud — it takes about three minutes. Then read Colossians 4:7–9 to see Onesimus mentioned again.