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Pentecost Season · Proper 18 · Year C

Philemon 1:1-21

Paul's Appeal for Onesimus

September 10, 2028

The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt van Rijn
The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1627Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
An old man sitting on the floor of a cell with the books open across his knees and the sword behind him, stopped mid-sentence with the pen still in his hand.I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.Rembrandt van RijnRembrandt at twenty-one, painting the thinking rather than the writing.Staatsgalerie StuttgartThe Staatsgalerie Stuttgart.Staatsgalerie Stuttgart
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 14:25-33Lk 14:25-33
EpistlePhlm. 1:1-21Phlm 1:1-21
Old TestamentJer. 18:1-11Jer 18:1-11Alt. OTDeut. 30:15-20Dt 30:15-20
PsalterPs. 139:1-6, 13-18Ps 139:1-6, 13-18Alt. PsalmPs. 1Ps 1

Overview & Insights

"Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother." (Philemon 15-16)

Paul writes from prison to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a Christian through Paul's ministry. Rather than commanding Philemon, Paul appeals to their shared love and asks him to welcome Onesimus back as a brother.

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Take it further: Philemon 1:1-21

Commentary

Commentary on Philemon 1:1-21Commentary on Phlm 1:1-21 Working Preacher

Traces Paul's rhetorical appeal to Christian love throughout the letter.

Philemon 1:1-21 CommentaryPhlm 1:1-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Sets the letter within the situation of a runaway slave turned brother in Christ.

Philemon Bible CommentaryPhlm Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse notes on Paul's appeal on behalf of Onesimus.

Philemon CommentaryPhlm Commentary Precept Austin

Collects word studies and cross-references for the whole letter.

Philemon 1:1 CommentariesPhlm 1:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentary on the opening of Paul's letter.

Philemon 1:1 InterlinearPhlm 1:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Greek text of Paul's opening greeting.

Philemon 1:1-21Phlm 1:1-21 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

Book of Philemon OverviewBook of Phlm Overview BibleProject

Traces the literary design of this shortest of Paul's letters.

Sermons & Reflections

Philemon 1-21Phlm 1-21 The Christian Century

Collects Christian Century's essays and reflections on this short letter.

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