1. “You owe me one, old friend!” Philemon

2.  Undisputed letter (authentic)  Paul in prison with coworkers In Ephesus? (54–55 CE) In Caesarea? (58–60 CE) In Rome? (60–61 CE)  To Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and their house church near Colossae? Date and Place

3.  Friendship = reciprocity in all things Friends share all things in common Financial give and take between business partners Friendship between social equals Patron-client relations: friendship across the social hierarchy  Philemon: indebted to Paul for salvation equal status  Onesimus: indebted to Philemon unequal status Ancient Friendship

4.  Powers of persuasion Humor, subtlety, sympathies, promises  Paul and slavery On the one hand, social status is irrelevant; all are equal before God On the other hand, Paul does not condemn or reject the institution of slavery Paul calls for good, just treatment of slaves Paul takes title “slave of Christ” for himself, becoming “all things to all people” Theological Themes

5.  Salutation, blessing (vv. 1–3)  Thanksgiving for Philemon’s hospitality to others (vv. 4–7)  Appeal for Onesimus (vv. 8–21) Like a son to Paul A brother to Philemon in Christ Onesimus owes Philemon Philemon owes Paul Paul therefore asks Philemon to repay his debt to Paul by forgiving Onesimus’s debt to him  Prepare for Paul’s visit (vv. 22–24) Outline