What is a summary of the book of Philemon?

from the old testament

• The book of Philemon is not in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• The letter of Philemon was written primarily to Philemon (Philemon 1), in contrast to most New Testament letters, which were written to churches. Paul is writing about Onesimus, a former slave of Philemon, appealing to him as a fellow believer. Onesimus is likely the one who brings this letter to Philemon (cf. Colossians 4:9), which serves as a commendation of him.
• The motivation for the letter was that Onesimus had run away from Philemon. At some point, he encountered Paul in prison, where he was saved and spiritually matured (Philemon 1:10). The Greek word Onesimus means “useful,” which Paul uses as a play on words to say, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me” (Philemon 1:11).
• As an apostle, Paul was “bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required (Philemon 8) but did not want to coerce Philemon. He instead appealed to him in love (v 9–10). Paul hoped that “you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother” (Philemon 1:15–16). He wanted Philemon to welcome Onesimus back as a fellow believer rather than as a slave.
• To express to Philemon just how much Onesimus has changed spiritually, Paul said, “I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel" (Philemon 1:12–13). Paul was giving up a good worker because reconciliation with Philemon was the greater good that needed to be done.
• Paul then added, “If you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me (Philemon 1:17). While not telling Philemon what to do, Paul clearly was strongly telling him what the right and good thing to do was in this instance.
• However, Paul was also practical. Slavery in those days often involved debt. Additionally, when Onesimus escaped, he may have stolen or otherwise caused Philemon material loss. He said, “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account” (Philemon 1:18). Paul was willing to pay Onesimus’ debts to bring this breach to a peaceful and loving conclusion.
• Though Paul sometimes wrote firmly, we learn why: “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (Philemon 1:21). As a fellow believer, Paul knew that Philemon had a forgiving heart. He was asking him to do right, but also confident that Philemon knew what was right to do.
• The letter of Philemon shows how the gospel changes society. While Paul did not attack the first-century institution of slavery, he showed how the power of the gospel transcended it.

implications for today

The letter to Philemon is a living demonstration of how Christianity changes someone and yet how one’s previous sins can have an ongoing effect. Onesimus fled as an unbeliever, violating his contractual obligations to his master, Philemon, and potentially causing additional harm or loss to him. Yet, after meeting Paul and becoming saved, he was a changed man. While we don’t know much about Onesimus, the fact that Paul thought so highly of him gives us all the insight we need: he was a man changed by God. He went from “useless” to “useful.”

However, becoming a Christian didn’t mean his previous wrongs were undone. He still had broken the law and his contract with Philemon. Paul recognized that, though Onesimus had been converted, there was a breach from his former sin that needed to be repaired.

Though God forgives our sins through faith in Jesus, the ramifications of our past sins often persist. A believer recognizes that reality and demonstrates a truly repentant heart by trying to correct wrongs done.

Zacchaeus was another believer who exemplified this (Luke 19:1–10). When Jesus encountered Zacchaeus, Zacchaeus repented of his past sins and then pledged to make it right. His desire to make restitution demonstrated his repentant heart, after which Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9).

If you are a believer, consider whether there is anything in your past for which you have never tried to correct. You can’t fix everything, and not everyone will accept your attempts to fix a situation. But if you know of wrong you have done and haven’t yet done everything in your power to set it right, allow this letter’s example to encourage you, and think of it as an opportunity to show people that you, like Onesimus, are truly a changed man or woman!