Philemon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Philemon - Essay Example Paul is therefore writing against the backdrop of Onesimus willing to return to Philemon, and thus, the need for this personal appeal to Philemon to accept Onesimus as a Christian brother (1:16) (Jason, 2010). Just as Betz (2004) observes, Apostle Paul writes with a lighthearted tone, but tactfully and with clever wordplay (1:11), to win Philemon’s willingness. Paul organizes the appeal as was prescribed by ancient Romans and Greeks by: building a common ground (1:4-21); persuading the mind (1:11-19); and appealing to emotions (1:20-21). It is interesting that Onesimus’ name is not mentioned until rapport is built between Paul and Philemon (1:10). The appeal is also made at the end (1:17). As has already been roughly mentioned in the introduction, Apostle Paul is writing to Philemon who is a Christian in the church in Colosse. It is plain that Philemon is a slave master and that there are others in the church with similar status in the same church, according to Colossians 4:1. Onesimus, one of Philemon’s slaves, had stolen from Philemon his master and ran away (v. 18). The import of Onesimus’ act is that it amounts to capital offence under Roman law. As a fugitive, Onesimus happens upon Paul in his ministry and becomes a Christian (v.10). After his stint with Apostle Paul, Onesimus is willing to return to his master, Philemon. For this purpose, Paul makes a concerted appeal to Philemon to accept back Onesimus as a Christian brother (1:16). According to Gromacki (2008), the main addressee in the epistle is Philemon, Onesimus’ master. Again, as already stated, the main intention or purpose of Paul’s address to Philemon is to have him accept Onesimus, his runaway slave back as a Christian brother (v. 16). Paul does this by using several logical strategies which are also subthemes of Paul’s address. One of the underlying themes that Paul uses to convince Philemon is that just as