Paul wrote this book to Philemon around A.D. 62, during his imprisonment in Rome, recorded in Acts 28. Philemon's slave, Onesimus, had run away. He then became converted to Christianity through Paul in Rome. Paul asked Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him back as a brother. He also asked Philemon to prepare a guest room for his upcoming visit.
There is a note in my Bible that reads,"What happened to Onesimus? No doubt Philemon obeyed Paul and forgave Onesimus. Otherwise he probably would have destroyed this letter. He may well have set Onesimus free. Early in the second century Ignatius wrote of an Onesimus who was Bishop of Ephesus. Because Onesimus was a name usually used for slaves, this bishop was probably a freed slave. Perhaps he was the Onesimus about whom Paul wrote."
My favorite part in Philemon is when Paul refers to Onesimus as being 'his own heart.' (vs.12) He dearly loved Onesimus.
No comments:
Post a Comment