The following is the results of your search for Philemon, Epistle to.
Philemon, Epistle to: Was written from Rome at the same time as the epistles to the
Colossians and Ephesians, and was sent also by Onesimus. It was
addressed to Philemon and the members of his family. It was written
for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (q.v.), who had deserted
his master Philemon and been "unprofitable" to him. Paul had found
Onesimus at Rome, and had there been instrumental in his conversion,
and now he sends him back to his master with this letter. This epistle
has the character of a strictly private letter, and is the only one of
such epistles preserved to us. "It exhibits the apostle in a new
light. He throws off as far as possible his apostolic dignity and his
fatherly authority over his converts. He speaks simply as Christian to
Christian. He speaks, therefore, with that peculiar grace of humility
and courtesy which has, under the reign of Christianity, developed the
spirit of chivalry and what is called 'the character of a gentleman,'
certainly very little known in the old Greek and Roman civilization"
(Dr. Barry).
