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Philippians and Philemon: Prison Epistles, Part 2

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Philippians (Philippians 1–4)
    22 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Philippians: Suffering and Community (Philippians Review)
    22 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Overview of Philemon
    22 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Paul and Slavery (Philemon, Romans 6 Review)
    17 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Social Impact
    9 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Dr. Johnson summarizes the situation, in which Paul has masterfully sidestepped the authority of Roman law and presented a situation where Philemon is obligated to release his runaway slave.

Philemon is first honored as a patron for his benefaction of the Christian movement. Paul then subtly reverses the situation so that his returning of Onesimus becomes a form of benefaction for Philemon . . . Paul is Philemon’s patron and “head” in the Christian household, so he did not have to return the runaway slave. But while Philemon is now the recipient of Paul’s benefaction, he can again become the great benefactor of Paul’s missing by “giving” him back Onesimus. No wonder Paul can add, “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (21): Paul has utilized the full weight of the social practice of reciprocity, knowing that his own “giving” will necessitate the “giving” of Philemon. 

Quoted from: Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of the New Testament: Third Edition, 2010, pp. 342-343.