1When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. 2The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold. 3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.” 5However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed. 6But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days. 8The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. 9Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured. 10They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
11After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.” 12Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome. 15From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 20For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 22But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 24Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26saying,
‘Go to this people and say,
in hearing, you will hear,
but will in no way understand.
In seeing, you will see,
but will in no way perceive.
27For this people’s heart has grown callous.
Their ears are dull of hearing.
Their eyes they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and would turn again,
then I would heal them.’
28“Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will listen.”
29When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who were coming to him, 31preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
The Book of Philemon, a brief yet profound letter by the Apostle Paul, showcases the gospel’s transformative power in human relationships. Written to Philemon, a wealthy Christian of the city of Colossae (pronounced Col-O-sa-ee) in what today is the country of Turkey, it pleads for Onesimus, his runaway slave turned believer. Penned during Paul’s Roman imprisonment in AD 57–59, this personal appeal addresses forgiveness, reconciliation, and equality in Christ. This letter challenges Christians to embody Christ’s love amid broken systems and fractured relationships.
Paul wrote Philemon during his Roman imprisonment in AD 57–59, under house arrest (Acts 28:30). Despite confinement, he preached boldly (Philippians 1:12-13) and authored five powerful letters, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, (a lost letter to Laodicea, pronounced La-oh-DEEK-ya) and Philemon. Paul’s companion Epaphroditus carried Philippians to the Macedonian city of Philippi (Philippians 2:25-30), while another companion, Tychicus, along with Onesimus, delivered Colossians and Philemon to Colossae (Colossians 4:7-9). Epaphras, a Colossian leader and Paul’s “fellow prisoner” (Philemon 1:23), was in Rome, praying fervently for the churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13). The letter reflects Paul’s pastoral heart.
Onesimus was a runaway slave. Knowing that in the Roman world he could be punished severely or even put to death if caught, he fled 1,200 miles away, to the largest city and melting pot in the empire, Rome. He must have felt sure that he would never be recognized or captured there. But, by divine providence, Onesimus encountered Paul in Rome, and Paul led him to the Lord. Paul regarded Onesimus his “son” in faith (v. 10). The irony of this is heightened by the fact that Paul knew Philemon, Onesimus’ master, intimately (he seems also to have led him to the Lord). The conversion of both master and slave shows the gospel’s redemptive power, akin to the prodigal son’s return (Luke 15:11-32). Onesimus, once “useless” to Philemon, became “useful” to both Paul and the church (v. 11), highlighting God’s ability to redeem broken lives.
Paul’s tone in this letter is pastoral and humble, opting for persuasion over his apostolic authority—his God-given right to command (v. 8). Appealing “for love’s sake” (v. 9), he offers to repay Onesimus’ debts (meaning his value as a slave stolen from his master by Onesimus’ flight, v. 18) while noting Philemon’s spiritual debt to him (for leading him to salvation in Christ, v. 19). This is not manipulation but spiritual fatherhood, urging Philemon to see Onesimus as a “beloved brother” (v. 16). Paul suggests a divine purpose: Onesimus’ flight led to his salvation, so Philemon might receive him “forever” in Christ (v. 15). This echoes Paul’s own redemption on the Damascus Road (Acts 9), where God turned rebellion into purpose.
Philemon is often scrutinized for its stance on slavery, a cornerstone of the Roman economy. Paul doesn’t condemn slavery outright but lays the groundwork for its undoing. In Galatians 3:28, he declares, “There is neither slave nor free… in Christ Jesus,” asserting spiritual equality. In 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, he encourages slaves to seek freedom if possible, framing believers as “Christ’s slaves.” In Philemon, Onesimus’s new status as a brother redefines his relationship with Philemon. Paul’s counsel to slaves (Ephesians 6:5) and masters (Colossians 4:1) operates within a broken system, urging justice and love, not endorsing slavery itself.
Modern readers may find Paul’s indirect approach unsatisfying, given slavery’s atrocities. Yet, his strategy was transformative: by changing hearts, the gospel reshapes society over time. Philemon subtly challenges slavery through gospel-driven reconciliation, not political revolt, as the failure of the Slave War led by Spartacus proved.
Onesimus’s 1,200-mile journey back to Colossae with Tychicus must have been fraught with anxiety. We can imagine a tense moment in Rome as Paul prepared Onesimus for the task:
“Onesimus,” Paul might have said, “I want you to go with Tychicus to Ephesus, Laodicea, and Colossae, taking my letters.”
“Colossae?” Onesimus may have asked, eyes wide, voice trembling. “Paul, you know I’m a runaway slave. If I return, my master Philemon might put me to death!”
“He might. But I don’t think he will. I’ve written him this letter.”
Onesimus clutched the sealed parchment, heart pounding. “What’s in it?”
“It’s private,” Paul replied, “between Philemon, a man I led to the Lord, and me. Trust in God, Onesimus. This letter carries His grace.”
“Do you think a letter will do it?” Onesimus asked, doubt lingering.
“I do,” Paul said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Go with God. He goes with you.”
“I hope so,” Onesimus said, fearing the unknown.
The journey—by sea from Rome’s port, Ostia, to Asia Minor, then inland to Colossae—tested Onesimus’ faith. Balancing the risk of his life with faith, his return embodied trust in Paul’s mediation and God’s providence. Philemon, receiving the letter, faced a momentous choice: to forgive and embrace Onesimus as a brother, reflecting Christ’s love, or to turn him over to the authorities, as an example to other slaves who might be tempted to abscond. In the Roman world, where runaway slaves faced crucifixion or branding, Philemon’s decision would reveal the gospel’s power to transform hearts and defy cultural norms.
How did Philemon respond? The fact that Philemon preserved the letter and that we possess a copy of it suggests that Philemon did as Paul asked. If he had not done so, he probably would have destroyed the letter.
Church tradition, recorded by Ignatius (c. AD 110), claims Onesimus became Ephesus’ bishop, implying that he not only remained free but became an important leader. This aligns with the letter’s message: transformed relationships testify to the gospel’s power.
Philemon offers timeless principles for Christian living:
Reflection: Where can you foster reconciliation or challenge injustice in your relationships or community? Philemon models how the gospel transforms not just individuals but societies, one relationship at a time.