The World English Bible (WEB): Philemon

2022: From my notes from my seminary class:

This text has a vast array of interpretive history and has been used in lots of different ways, including condoning slavery and speaking against it. So what do we do with it?

It only has 25 verses making it the shortest book in the NT. And because it is so short there is a lot that we don't know. How did Onesimus find himself with Paul? Did he run away? If so, why? What good deed/duty is Paul expecting Philemon to perform on Onesimus' return? All unanswered questions.

There are four main interpretations of Philemon:
1) Paul is returning a newly converted but runaway slave to Philemon and Paul will make restitution for damage Onesimus has caused.
2) Paul is encouraging Philemon in light of the gospel to free the newly converted Onesimus and treat him as a brother rather than a slave.
3) Paul wants Onesimus to be his own slave, and he exhorts Philemon to transfer his ownership to Paul.
4) Onesimus is not a slave but is Philemon's biological brother who was estranged. Paul has converted him and seeks to heal the fractured family relationship between Philemon and Onesimus.


In the whole 25 verses, only one time Onesimus is referred to with slave language, “as a slave.” This could be a comparison rather than a description. Philemon is the older, more powerful brother, and so Onesimus is like a slave, lower than his brother.

The letter to Philemon does not offer a carefully thought-out argument for slavery–it's not even a topic of the letter. Instead, slavery is a comparison made one time in the letter. Paul is not setting a theological agenda or universal standard.