Difference between revisions of "Category:Philemon (text)"

Revision as of 18:38, 7 February 2016

BACK TO THE TEXTS--INDEX

The Letter of Paul to Philemon (see Online Text) is a New Testament document.

Overview

The Epistle to Philemon was written by Paul of Tarsus to a friend and member of the Christin community, the slave-master Philemon, concerning a runaway slave called Onesimus. This slave had found his way to the site of Paul's imprisonment (most probably Rome or Caesarea Maritima) and had became a Christian. Running away was a very serious crime according to Roman Law, and so it was the case of a person hiding or protecting a fugitive slave.

Slavery was a very harsh condition, and Philemon had the right to punish Onesimus, even to kill him, if he wished. In spite of this possibility and of his friendly relations with Onesimus, Paul is sending him back to his master.

Paul does not question the legitimacy of slavery (see also 1 Peter 2:18-25). He does not ask Philemon to free all his slaves or his Christian slaves, but is asking him to welcome the slave as a brother in Christ. They are now both Christians.

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28)

1 Peter: “Fear God. Honor the Emperor… Slaves, accept the authority of your masters…” (chap. 2) “Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of hour husbands,” while however inviting husbands to “show consideration” (3:1-7).

Colossians: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything… Masters treat your slaves justly and fairly…” (Col 3:33-4:1; Eph 6:5-9).

Related categories

Paul of Tarsus / Onesimus / Philemon

External links

Pages in category "Philemon (text)"

The following 30 pages are in this category, out of 30 total.

1

2

Media in category "Philemon (text)"

This category contains only the following file.

1972 * Meeks.jpg 304 × 500; 49 KB

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Overview==
-The Epistle to Philemon was written by [[Paul of Tarsus]] to a friend and member of the slave-master Philemon concerning a runaway slave called [[Onesimus]]. This slave found his way to the site of Paul's imprisonment (most probably [[Rome]] or [[Caesarea Maritima]]) and had became a Christian. Running away was a very serious crime according to Roman Law, and so it was the case of a person hiding or protecting a fugitive slave.
+The Epistle to Philemon was written by [[Paul of Tarsus]] to a friend and member of the Christin community, the slave-master Philemon, concerning a runaway slave called [[Onesimus]]. This slave had found his way to the site of Paul's imprisonment (most probably [[Rome]] or [[Caesarea Maritima]]) and had became a Christian. Running away was a very serious crime according to Roman Law, and so it was the case of a person hiding or protecting a fugitive slave.
+[[Slavery]] was a very harsh condition, and Philemon had the right to punish [[Onesimus]], even to kill him, if he wished. In spite of this possibility and of his friendly relations with [[Onesimus]], Paul is sending him back to his master.
-[[Slavery]] was a very harsh condition, and Philemon had the right to punish [[Onesimus]], even to kill him, if he wished. In spite of his friendly relations with [[Onesimus]], Paul is sending him back to his master.
 Paul does not question the legitimacy of slavery (see also 1 Peter 2:18-25). He does not ask [[Philemon]] to free all his slaves or his Christian slaves, but is asking him to welcome the slave as a brother in Christ. They are now both Christians.