Book Of Shilemon Analysis

For how short the book of Philemon is, there is a lot going on. Paul is writing to three individuals about one of their boys who had ran away. The boy, Onesimus has ran away form his master and has perhaps been guilty being a theft. Even though Onesimus has possibly been a theft, Paul writes about how he has been saved and is now a brother in Christ and that they should welcome him with open arms. The first question is about why Paul wrote this letter and what the situation was behind the meaning of this letter. Paul is writing this letter to them because he wants them to welcome back Onesimus. Even though the boy ran away, Paul tells them that he is coming back a changed boy and that they should take in him. Paul tells them that he wants to ask them to welcome him in using love but Paul reminds them that he has the power to order them if they choose to not to welcome him willingly. Paul wants them to believe that Onesimus has changed because he says that if he could he would keep him. If Paul is saying that he would keep him then that would …show more content…
Paul tries to make his argument out of love and being nice but you can tell there is some harsh tones in his voice. The main point of Paul’s argument is to convince Philemon that Onesimus has changed and that they should take him in. Even if they do not want to take him in, Paul reminds them that he has the power of Christ to order them to take Onesimus in as a brother and not a slave. He tries to convince Philemon to take the boy in because he would have kept Onesimus if he could but he did not want to do anything without consent. Paul did not want to make Philemon mad by taking in one of theirs who was maybe a theft. Paul also tells Philemon that he is praying for them so that they know that he cares for them and that he would not be leading them to a harmful man but instead another brother in