The Letter to Philemon

The Letter to Philemon is one of the shortest books in the Bible. It is a personal letter written by Saint Paul. He wrote it while he was in prison. Paul wrote to a man named Philemon, who was a Christian and a friend of his.

Philemon owned a servant named Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon. At some point, Onesimus met Paul and became a Christian. Paul grew close to him and cared about him deeply. But Paul also knew that Onesimus needed to make things right with Philemon.

In the letter, Paul asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus. He wants Philemon to welcome him back, not as a servant, but as a brother in Christ. Paul does not give orders. Instead, he gently encourages Philemon to act with love and mercy.

This letter is short, but it teaches us something important. Paul shows how faith can change how people treat each other. He reminds us that in Christ, we are all part of the same family. Even hard situations can be handled with kindness and trust in God.

Paul wrote the Letter to Philemon while he was in prison. Most people think he was in Rome at the time. It was around the year 60 A.D. He had been arrested for preaching about Jesus.

Philemon was a Christian who lived in the city of Colossae. He had a house church, which means people gathered in his home to pray and learn about Jesus. Philemon was likely a wealthy man, and he owned slaves, which was common in that time.

Onesimus, one of Philemon’s slaves, had run away. Somehow he met Paul while Paul was in prison. Paul helped him come to believe in Jesus. After that, Paul wanted to help make peace between Onesimus and Philemon.

This short letter was Paul’s way of trying to bring them back together. He hoped Philemon would welcome Onesimus, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. Paul cared deeply about both men and wanted them to be united in faith.

The Letter to Philemon is very different from many other books in the Bible. It is not a long sermon or a list of rules. It is a short and personal letter. Paul writes like a friend speaking to another friend.

Paul uses kind and gentle words. He does not give commands. He asks with love and care. He reminds Philemon of their shared faith. He speaks with warmth and respect. His tone is calm, not harsh.

The letter is only one chapter long. But it is full of feeling. Paul uses simple words, but they carry strong meaning. He writes clearly and with a soft heart.

This letter shows how Paul handled a hard situation with grace. He used his words to build peace. His style teaches us how to speak with kindness, even when things are difficult.

The Letter to Philemon may be short, but it touches on big ideas. These ideas are important in Catholic life and teaching. Paul shows how faith shapes the way we treat others.

• Forgiveness
  Paul asks Philemon to forgive Onesimus. He does not force him. He invites him to choose mercy. In the Church, we are also called to forgive, just as God forgives us.
• Christian Brotherhood
  Paul says Onesimus is more than a servant. He is a brother in Christ. In baptism, we become part of one family. No one is higher or lower than another.
• Freedom and Dignity
  Paul does not speak directly against slavery. But he treats Onesimus with love and respect. This shows that every person has worth. The Church teaches that all people are made in God’s image.
• Peacemaking
  Paul steps in to help two people find peace. He shows how faith can heal broken ties. Catholics are also called to be peacemakers.

These themes help us see how to live our faith in daily life. We are called to love, to forgive, and to treat others as part of God’s family.

Philemon is only one chapter long, with 25 verses. Even though it is short, it has a clear structure. Each part has a purpose. Paul moves gently from greeting to request, always with care and love.

• Greeting (verses 1–3)
  Paul starts by greeting Philemon and the church in his home. He calls himself a prisoner for Christ. He also mentions Timothy as a co-writer.
• Thanksgiving and Praise (verses 4–7)
  Paul gives thanks for Philemon’s faith. He says he is grateful for Philemon’s love and kindness to others. Paul wants to remind him of the good he already does.
• Paul’s Request for Onesimus (verses 8–22)
  This is the longest part. Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus back, not as a slave but as a brother. He offers to repay anything Onesimus owes. Paul also hints that he hopes to visit soon.
• Final Greeting and Blessing (verses 23–25)
  Paul ends the letter with greetings from friends and a short blessing of peace.

Each section flows into the next. Paul speaks with warmth and care from start to finish. The structure helps make the message clear and personal.

Even though the Letter to Philemon is very short and written long ago, it still speaks to us now. It reminds us how we should treat each other with love and respect. It shows how faith can guide our actions, even in hard times.

Many people today face broken friendships, family trouble, or disagreements. Paul gives us a good example. He steps in with kindness and helps others find peace. He shows us that we can be peacemakers too.

This letter also teaches us about forgiveness. Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus back, not with anger, but with love. That same call to forgive is part of our daily life as Catholics. We are asked to forgive others, just as God forgives us.

Philemon also helps us think about justice and how we see other people. In Christ, we are all brothers and sisters. We are all equal in God’s eyes. That message still matters in our world today.

The Letter to Philemon is included in the Roman Catholic lectionary. That means it is read during Mass. It is not read often, but when it is, it brings an important message.

When this letter is read at Mass, it reminds us of mercy and forgiveness. It also helps us think about how we treat other people. Paul’s words encourage kindness, respect, and love in our relationships.

Even though the letter is short, it fits well in the Church’s prayer life. It speaks about real problems and real choices. It connects faith to daily life.

The Church includes this letter because it teaches us to live the Gospel. Through the story of Philemon and Onesimus, we see what it means to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. That message belongs in every time and place.

At Weekday Masses

• Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time II – Philemon 7-20: Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

From Slave to Brother

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the Letter to Philemon. He explains that Paul is writing to Philemon, a man he brought to Christ. Paul is asking him to welcome back his runaway slave, Onesimus.

Fr. Mike says that Onesimus had become a Christian while with Paul. Paul calls him a “beloved brother” and asks Philemon to receive him that way, not as a slave. He points out that Paul doesn’t demand, but appeals to love and free choice.

Fr. Mike also talks about how this short letter challenges how we see others. He says if we saw workers, students, and even family as brothers and sisters, the world would be different. Paul is painting a picture of what that world could look like.

He notes that slavery in Bible times was different from the brutal kind we know from history. Still, Paul’s message is clear—Christians should treat each other like family. That changes everything.

The Bible

The Letter to Philemon shows how the Bible speaks to real people and real problems. It helps us see how faith can shape the way we live, forgive, and treat others with care. Even short books like this one can teach us a lot.

If you want to learn more about the Bible and how to understand it better, visit our page called Understanding the Bible. It’s a great place to start if you are curious or want to grow in your faith.

Paul Writing a Letter of Faith and Friendship

Enhance your parish or classroom materials with this striking image of Paul writing from prison. It is available for download for use in bulletins, newsletters, or study guides.

This artwork highlights the message of love, reconciliation, and Christian unity found in his letter to Philemon, inviting reflection on how faith transforms relationships.

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Who wrote the Letter to Philemon?

Saint Paul wrote the letter. He was in prison at the time. He wrote it to his friend Philemon.

Why did Paul write this letter?

Paul wrote to ask Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus. He wanted Philemon to welcome Onesimus back as a brother in Christ.

Is Philemon just about slavery?

The letter talks about a slave, but the main message is about love, mercy, and unity in Christ. Paul asks Philemon to treat Onesimus as family.

Why is Philemon in the Bible?

Even though it is short, the letter shows how faith changes how we treat others. It teaches us about forgiveness and peace.

What can I learn from this letter today?

Philemon teaches us to forgive, to make peace, and to see others as part of God’s family.

The Letter to Philemon is one of the shortest books in the Bible. It is a personal letter from Saint Paul to a Christian named Philemon. Paul wrote it while he was in prison. Philemon was a friend of Paul and a leader in the early Church. He owned a slave named Onesimus who had run away.

During his time away, Onesimus met Paul and became a Christian. Paul grew close to him and wanted to help him return to Philemon. But Paul did not just send him back. He also asked Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ.

Paul did not demand anything. He asked with kindness and love. This shows how Christians are called to treat others—with mercy and respect. The letter shows how faith can bring people together and help repair broken relationships.

Philemon reminds us that in Christ, we are all one family. It calls us to forgive, to welcome others, and to live out our faith in simple, loving ways.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

A Brother, Not a Slave

In Philemon 9-10, 12-17, Paul gently asks Philemon to welcome back Onesimus, who was once his slave. Onesimus had run away but later became a Christian through Paul. Paul now sees him as a son in the faith. He is not sending Onesimus back as a servant, but as someone deeply loved.

Paul encourages Philemon to see Onesimus in a new way—as a brother in Christ. He asks Philemon to treat him not as a slave, but as part of the Christian family. Paul does not demand this. He simply asks out of love, trusting that Philemon will do what is right.

A reading from Philemon is also used at a weekday Mass:

Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time II – Philemon 7-20: Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Take a few minutes to read the Letter to Philemon. It’s short and easy to understand, but it gives us a lot to think about. How do we forgive? How do we treat others who have wronged us?

After you read it, come back and share your thoughts in the comments. Have you ever had to forgive someone like Philemon did? Or had to speak up for someone like Paul did? Your story might help someone else.