Loading…

Letter to Philemon: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary is unavailable, but you can change that!

The apostle Paul’s letter to his friend and fellow Christian Philemon, which focuses on the question of slavery, has long inspired debate. Onesimus, one of Philemon’s slaves, has left his master’s house and sought refuge with Paul, during which time he has converted to Christianity. In a letter to Philemon, Paul assures his friend that he is sending Onesimus back, but pleads for mercy on the...

see D. Daube, “Dodges and Rackets in Roman Law,” Proceedings of the Classical Association 61 (1964) 28–30; cf. Nordling, “Onesimus Fugitivus,” 104. The ancient Hebrews as a people knew slavery in their Egyptian bondage (Exod 1:10–14; 5:6–14), from which they eventually were led to be a free people under Moses (Exod 12:37–42). Because of that experience, Mosaic legislation developed certain rules about the keeping of slaves: “Remember that once you were slaves in Egypt and
Page 29
Buy this book at Logos.com