On Philemon

Several people in the online course I’m taking question how an officer on Hadrian’s wall can address his slave as ‘brother.’ Paul’s letter to Philemon treats of just this situation. Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, has been assisting Paul in his prison in Rome. Paul is returning Onesimus to his master, calling the slave his 'child' to whom Paul has become a 'father'. He’s tempted to keep Onesimus with him, to help him during his 'imprisonment for the gospel,’ in place of Philemon himself. Note how Paul positions himself as also a father to Philemon in this rhetoric. He wants Onesimus freed as a good deed which is voluntary: a good son, like Philemon, would seek to obey his father's wishes by his own volition, not as 'something forced.’ Willing obedience is honourable. The result will be that Onesimus is no longer a slave, but a 'beloved brother.' Paul expresses his expectation that Philemon will 'do even more than I say' for Onesimus. Note that brothers are sons of the same father, so this title will have reference to Paul as patron.

            The Letter to Philemon is the shortest book in the Bible, but one of the most fascinating stories.