Paul, after his conversion to Christ has a vision the other early Christians didn't have; that in Christ, there would be neither Jew nor Greek, Male nor female, and there would be no difference between slaves and freeman.
This little letter is written by Paul's own hand as he is in prison in Colossa, and he writes to a very wealthy member of the church in the city, that is to Philemon. Paul has met a runaway slave name Onesimus; and there were over 60 million slaves in the entire Roman Empire. So the idea of having slaves was very common back then.
But this time, Paul meets this young slave boy and talks to him about Jesus, and the slave boy becomes a Christian. Now Paul must convince his wealth friend Philemon to receive him back into his household, not as a slave, but as a Christian brother.
In the tiny letter, Paul puts a great deal of pressure on Philemon by reminding him that Philemon has often prayed and shared his great wealth by taking in other Christian, giving them a place to rest and share with wealth with good food and all the comforts of the wealthy.
Paul writes that as an Apostle he could order him to do what Paul thinks is right, bur for love's sake, Paul would rather appeal to him; reminding Philemon, that Paul is of old age and also now a prisoner for serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
He tells Philemon that Paul has "given birth" to this slave boy, that means, Paul had led him to Christ. Paul write, because your slave boy ran away from you, he wasn't able to do your bidding, but Paul writes, that while the Onesimus was with Paul, that he ministered to Paul's needs, just as Philemon would also have done, if Philemon had been in prison with Paul.
Paul pleads with Philemon by writing, "without your consent, I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might by be by compulsion, but rather by voluntarily receiving Omesimus back as a true brother in Christ. He goes on to write, "I have confidence in your obedience, knowing that you will do even more than I have suggested to you".
Paul really lays more pressure on Philemon, by writing, "But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers, I shall be granted to you."
The Paul ends this short letter by naming those who know about his letter being sent from Paul to Philemon, "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demus, and Like my fellow laborers.". And the salutation is; "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with your spirit, Amen".
Here Paul uses every bit of his friendship and takes a huge risk in trusting that his friend will restore this slave boy into full fellowship with his former slave owner.
Runaway slaves back then, could be punished; either by whippings, sever beatings, or if they were apt to start a combined rebellion against all the slave owners, they could be crucified. It was common to see crucified slaves back then/
So this short little letter, contains a wealth of insight into how Paul thought back then, and of course later he continues to write concerning this delicate subject. But again, can you see how Paul is like Jesus, pleading for forgiveness to those who have run away from God? Do you see Philemon as wealthy and with all the power to forgive, but he needs someone who will, if necessary, write, "If he owes you anything, charge that to me account, I will pay you back in full!" Then Paul just simply leaves it to Philemon's own decision, trusting that he will do the right thing, and follow Paul's appeal.
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