This is a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to one, Philemon, about whom we know very little beyond what is said in this epistle. Although in its address are included Apphia and Archippus, the message is to Philemon concerning Onesimus, who is evidently a runaway former slave of Philemon, and whom Paul is sending back to his former owner, not as a slave, but rather as "a brother beloved." Evidently, while a runaway, Onesimus became acquainted with Paul, and was, under his ministry converted. The letter is, for the greater part, self-explanatory.

(Verses 1 through 3) "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".

This letter is said to have been written around 60 A. D. during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome . One thing we know for sure is that it was during an imprisonment; another is that Timothy was with him, perhaps not as a prisoner, but as a companion. Here Paul speaks of him as "our brother". He sometimes refers to him as "my son in the faith". The letter is addressed to "Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer", which some might think to identify him as a minister; but in view of what Paul says a little later in this letter, it seems rather to identify him as one who, as Paul said about the house of Stephanas, (I Cor.16:15,) had addicted himself to the ministry of the saints, not the preaching of the gospel, but the helping of the saints who might be in need. The letter is further addressed to "beloved Apphia", a woman who is nowhere given any further identification. It may be that she is the wife of Philemon, but this cannot be determined. In addition the address includes "Archippus our fellow-soldier", identified in the Colossian Epistle as a minister, and the church which meets at the house of Philemon. As is Paul's usual greeting, he desires that they may have grace and peace "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".

(Verses 4 through 7) "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother".

This is quite a testimonial to the good efforts of Philemon in his service to the saints, in which he has shown his love "toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints". As he has heard of these works, he continually prays for Philemon, that all these good things which our Lord Jesus has moved him to do may be fully acknowledged by the saints, and that this acknowledgment may make the communication of his faith effectual. That is, that it may lead others to apply themselves to the same work. Paul has received great joy and consolation in, or by reason of the love Philemon has demonstrated, because through his labors "the bowels of the saints have been refreshed", that is, his efforts have brought great relief to many of the saints who were in need.

(Verses 8 through 14) "Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is mine own bowels: whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly".

In Paul's action here we find an outstanding example of how one Christian should treat another. The apostle, now advanced in years, and in prison for the gospel of Christ Jesus, Whom Philemon has already proved beyond any doubt that he desires to serve with all that the Lord has given him, by his authority as an apostle of Jesus the Christ, could command ("enjoin") Philemon to let Onesimus remain with him in Rome, and minister to him in the absence of Philemon. Not only so, but he is sure that this would meet with Philemon’s approval. Yet for the love he has for our Lord, and for Philemon, he sends Onesimus back to Philemon, and makes a plea on behalf of Onesimus, that Philemon receive him. In considering all of this, one should keep in mind that Onesimus is a runaway slave; Therefore Philemon could, according to the law, have him scourged, imprisoned, or, possibly, put to death. Of course Paul knows that Philemon is not the sort of man who would be so cruel; but even so he could make matters unpleasant for the runaway. So the apostle begs for him thus: "I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me". Not only had Onesimus been converted under the ministry of Paul, but also they had become so closely knit together in the love of our Lord that Paul calls him "my son". The name, "Onesimus" means "Profitable"; but, evidently, heretofore he had not lived up to his name, but instead was unprofitable to his master. Paul says that now he is profitable to both Philemon and Paul. Although the apostle would have liked very much to keep Onesimus with him, he sends him back to Philemon, saying, "But without thy mind would I do nothing: that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly". He will not take advantage of the situation even though he is sure that it would be agreeable to Philemon, but will leave it entirely in his hands to do what he sees fit in his own mind.

(Verses 15 through 20) "For perhaps he therefore departed from thee for a season, that thou shoudest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto  thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; I have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say unto thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord".

Although the apostle does not say it in so many words, one gets the idea that he feels that the whole episode of the running away of Onesimus might have been according to the purpose of God, that upon his return he might be far more valuable to Philemon, and others also, than he had ever been before, "not as a servant, but above a servant, as a brother beloved". Although Paul says Onesimus is especially beloved by him, he should be even far more to Philemon, "both in the flesh, and in the Lord". Then to show his love for, and confidence in Onesimus, he says, to Philemon, "If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it". Since the church at Colosse, the home of Philemon, was founded not by Paul, but by Epaphras, probably one of Paul's converts, and at the time of this writing there is no indication that Paul and Philemon have ever met, one might wonder a little at the last part of verse 19, "Albeit I do not say unto thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides". Perhaps he is referring to the fact that, though he has not personally visited Colosse, yet it is by him that the Lord has sent forth the gospel to the Gentiles, and through his efforts blessed by the Lord the freedom of the gospel has been maintained in spite of the legalizing efforts of false teachers; or there may have been some encounter between them that is never mentioned. Be that as it may, whatever Philemon may owe to the apostle is not to be counted in the matter of Onesimus. In keeping with the fact that instead of commanding, Paul is begging Philemon to receive Onesimus in Christian love, he says, "Yea, brother, Let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord". We might, without doing any harm to the meaning of this, say, "Please give me the joy in the Lord of seeing Onesimus received as a beloved brother instead of as a runaway slave; this would refresh my spirit in the Lord, even though I am still in prison".

(Verses 21 and 22) "Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you".

Paul has heard so much of the obedience of Philemon to the gospel of our Lord that as he writes to him, he is fully confident that Philemon will do not just what he asks of him, but much more. Now he says that after all of this, there is one more request he is making. This is that they prepare him a place to lodge, for he is confident that God will answer their prayers by having him again set free, that he may visit them.

In verses 23 and 24 Paul passes on to Philemon the greeting of Epaphras, the minister who founded the Colossian church, but who is now a fellow-prisoner of the apostle; also the greetings of Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Lucas, whom he calls "my fellow-labourers". This Lucas is probably the one we know as "Luke", the author of "The Gospel According To Luke" and "The Acts Of The Apostles". Marcus is probably John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas. Demas and Aristarchus are mentioned in other writings of the apostle.

He closes thus: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen".