PHILEMON, EPISTLE OF PAUL TO. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon is one of the briefest compositions in the Bible. It consists of only twenty five verses. It Is in fact a short private letter—so short and insignificant that in the fourth century A.D. certain writers thought it could not have been written by the Apostle Paul. In more recent times it has been held (e.g., by F. C. Baur) to have been invented in order to depict the ideal relations that should subsist between master and slave. This view, however, has not found much acceptance. It is true that there is not much external evidence for the epistle. It is not referred to by many early Christian writers. But it is found In the Canon of Marcion and the Muratorian Canon; and it has been reasonably urged that the silence of early Christian writers is no doubt clue to the fact that the Epistle is not of a doctrinal character. To many scholars the epistle seems thoroughly Pauline. " The internal evidence," says Prof. Peake, " is decisive. No one could have imitated Paul in so inimitable a way, nor could any plausible reason be assigned for its composition in Paul's name." Moreover, it is closely connected with the
Epistle to the Colossians (cp. Colossians iv. 7-18; Philemon, vss. 2, 10-12, 23, 24). Philemon had a slave Onesimus who robbed his master and ran away to Rome, where he came under the influence of Paul and became a convert. The Apostle became much attached to him, but since the slave was the lawful possession of Philemon. be felt he could not retain him. When Tychicus returned to Asia the Apostle sent back the slave to his master. At the same time he sent a letter to Philemon pleading for a merciful reception and restoration. " Paul does not write an abolitionist pamphlet, but presents the neces sary solvent of slavery in the doctrine of universal brotherhood in Christ Jesus " (G. Currie Martin). The Epistle may perhaps have been written at Rome in 62-63 A.D. See the Encycl. Bibi.; J. A. M'Clymont; G. Currie Martin; A. S. Peake, Intr.; J. Moffatt, Intr.