Authorship of the Epistle to Philemon Discussed
The Epistle to Philemon is widely attributed to the Apostle Paul, written during his first imprisonment in Rome, likely around A.D. 63 or early A.D. 64 [2]. This dating places it concurrently with the Epistles to the Colossians and Ephesians, all of which were dispatched with Onesimus [1]. The external evidence supporting Pauline authorship is considered unimpeachable, and the internal content of the letter presents no conflicting information [2].
Paul identifies himself as "a prisoner of Jesus Christ" at the outset of the letter, indicating his incarceration for the sake of the Gospel [5]. The letter's primary purpose was to intercede on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave belonging to Philemon [1]. Onesimus had fled from Philemon to Rome, possibly after committing theft, and there he encountered Paul, who led him to conversion [2]. Paul then sent Onesimus back to Philemon with this personal letter [1].
Philemon, the recipient, was likely a resident of Colossae, as Onesimus was a Colossian, and Archippus, who is associated with Philemon in the letter, was also from Colossae [3]. The letter itself suggests Philemon was a man of considerable property and influence [3]. Early tradition, as noted in Smith's Bible Dictionary, suggests Philemon later became a bishop of Colossae and died as a martyr under Nero [3].
The personal nature of the Epistle to Philemon is notable; it is the only one of Paul's letters that functions as a strictly private communication [1]. Some commentators, like John Gill, suggest that Paul wrote the entire epistle himself, rather than using an amanuensis, to personally underscore his commitment to repay any debt Onesimus owed Philemon [4]. Adam Clarke also notes this possibility, suggesting Paul's direct handwriting would bind Philemon to his request as an act of civility [7].
The authenticity of the Epistle to Philemon was generally accepted in early Christian tradition. Tertullian, for instance, noted that its brevity likely protected it from the textual alterations Marcion applied to other Pauline epistles [8]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, also affirmed its Pauline authorship and linked its composition to the period of the Epistle to the Colossians, noting that Onesimus was sent with Tychicus to the Colossians [6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: 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 epis”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philemon, The Epistle Of Paul To — is one of the letters which the apostle wrote during his first captivity at Rome A.D. 63 or early in A.D. 64. Nothing is wanted to confirm the genuineness of the epistle: the external testimony is unimpeachable; nor does the epistle itself offer anything to conflict with this decision. The occasion of the letter was that Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, had run away from him to Rome, either desiring liberty or, as some suppose, having committed theft. (Philemon 1:18) Here he was converted under the instrumentality of Paul. The latter; ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philemon — the name of the Christian to whom Paul addressed his epistle in behalf of Onesimus. He was a native probably of Colosse, or at all events lived in that city when the apostle wrote to him: first, because Onesimus was a Colossian, (Colossians 4:9) and secondly because Archippus was a Colossian, (Colossians 4:17) whom Paul associates with Philemon at the beginning of his letter. (Philemon 1:1,2) It is related that Philemon became bishop of Colosse, and died as a martyr under Nero. It is evident from the letter to him that Philemon was a man of property and inf”
- Philemon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philemon 1:19: I Paul have written it, with mine own hand,.... Meaning either this epistle, which being short, he used no amanuensis, but wrote it all himself, and which might be taken as an engagement to do what he promised; or else a bill, a promissory note, written with his own hand, which he sent along with Onesimus, by which he laid himself under obligation to give Philemon full satisfaction in every thing, in which he had been injured by his servant; adding, I will repay it: this was not an ironical expression, nor a piece of vanity in the apostle; he spoke seriously, and ”
- Philemon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philemon 1 (introduction): Philemon 1:1 plm 1:1 plm 1:1 plm 1:1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ,.... Not made a prisoner by Christ, though he was apprehended, laid hold on, and detained by Christ as a prisoner of hope, at his conversion; but this is not intended here: but he was a prisoner at Rome for the sake of Christ, on account of professing him, and preaching in his name; his bonds were for the sake of the Gospel of Christ; and therefore they are in this epistle called the bonds of the Gospel. He was not a prisoner for any capital crime, and therefore had no reason to be ash”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: now also a prisoner in Christ Jesus”) ( Philem. 9 ), yet previous to that to the Colossians. And this again is plain from the end. For in writing to the Colossians, he says, “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, whom I have sent with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother.” ( Col. iv. 7 .) For this was that Onesimus in whose behalf he composed the Epistle to Philemon. And that this was no other of the same name with him, is plain from the mention of Archippus. For it is he whom he had taken as worker together with himself in the Epistle to”
- Philemon (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philemon 1:19: I Paul have written it with mine own hand - It is likely that the whole of the letter was written by St. Paul himself, which was not his usual custom. See on Th2 3:17 (note). But by thus speaking he bound Philemon to do what he requested, as an act of common civility, if he could not feel a higher motive from what he had already urged. Albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me - I ask thee to do this thing to oblige me, though I will not say how much thou owest unto me; even thine own self, as having been the means of thy conversion.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXI.--THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. THIS EPISTLE NOT MUTILATED. MARCION'S INCONSISTENCY IN ACCEPTING THIS, AND REJECTING THREE OTHER EPISTLES ADDRESSED TO INDIVIDUALS. CONCLUSIONS. TERTULLIAN VINDICA: To this epistle alone did its brevity avail to protect it against the falsifying hands of Marcion. I wonder, however, when he received (into his Apostolicon) this letter which was written but to one man, that he rejected the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus, which all treat of ecclesiastical discipline. His aim, was, I suppose, to carry out his interpolating p”