Title Introduction to Philemon
Contents
Introduction to Philemon
Introduction
The book of Philemon is unique in several ways. It is the shortest of Paul's epistles, with only one chapter and 25 verses. Philemon is the only epistle to an individual among Paul's prison epistles. Although it does not deal with doctrinal issues as the other prison epistles do, Philemon does deal with very practical and practical issues. It is a teaching that Christians should live by forgiving one another. Although the word forgiveness does not appear in Philemon. But through the practical problem of a family, we see that the book of Philemon deals with the problem of forgiveness in a beautiful and touching way.
1. Author
2. Recipient
In verse 2, the recipients of this book are Philemon, Abbia, Archippus, and the church where they gather at the house of Philemon. Traditionally, it has been known that Abbia was Philemon's wife and Archippus their son. In any case, Paul must have wanted this book to be read not only by Philemon, but also by his family and all the members of the Colossian church who are gathering at his house, to receive the lessons contained in it.
3. Date of Record and Place of Record
This book, like the other prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians), was written while Paul was first imprisoned in a Roman prison, at that time A.D. It is estimated to be around 61-63 AD.
At this time, Paul was staying in a rented house with a relatively free pension (Acts 28:30-31). He had access to many visits, and one of those who came to him was Onesimus. Onesimus had fled to Rome as Philemon's servant. Paul influenced Onesimus with the gospel and made him a new person. When Paul sent Onesimus back to his master Philemon, he wrote a letter for Onesimus, which is this book. At this time, Tychicus and Onesimus had gone to Philemon with this book (Colossians 4:9).
4. Purpose of Record
At that time, if a runaway slave was picked up, his or her life or death was entirely in the hands of the master. A slave was either crucified or saved, but his forehead was branded with the letter "F", the first letter of the Latin word for fugitive.
Paul wrote this letter to return Onesimus, newly transformed in Jesus Christ, to his master Philemon, asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus and welcome him warmly as a brother in Jesus Christ.
In this book, Paul encourages all Christians to live in the spirit of love and forgiveness.
5. Theological Reasons for Forgiveness
Paul is convinced in verse 21 that Philemon will obey Jesus Christ's command to "forgive". The reason why the doctrine of forgiveness does not appear in this book is probably because Philemon already knew the theological reasons for forgiveness.
Below, let's look at some typical theological reasons for Christians to live by forgiving their brothers.
1) To not forgive is to hate the person in the end, and hatred in the heart is the same as murdering him (Matthew 5:21-22).
2) This is because an unforgiving heart hinders us from worshiping God (Matthew 5:23-24).
3) If we do not forgive our brothers, we ourselves cannot receive God's forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15). Should the saints live while enjoying God's blessings, or should they live while receiving discipline?
4) If we do not forgive, it is because our neighbors suffer. Consider the parable of the ruthless servant. When the servant who was forgiven of ten thousand talents did not forgive his fellow's debt of one hundred denarii, who went and told the king about it? His fellows, fellow servants (Matt. 18:31). If we have forgiveness, the hearts of those who see it are also happy. But if we do not have forgiveness and have hatred and revenge, the hearts of those who see it also hurt.
5) The reason they do not forgive is because they are proud to do what God will do for them (Romans 12:14, 19). Taking revenge is God's business, not ours.