DATE: Probably A.D. 64. It is one of the Prison Epistles. See Introductions to Ephesians and Colossians.
THEME: Onesimus ("profitable"), a slave of Philemon, a Christian of Colosse, had robbed his master and fled to Rome. There he became a convert through Paul, who sent him back to Philemon with this letter. It is of priceless value as a teaching
(1) in practical righteousness;
(2) in Christian brotherhood;
(3) in Christian courtesy;
(4) in the law of love.
The divisions are four
I. Greeting 1-3.
II. The character of Philemon, 4-7.
III. Intercession for Onesimus, 8-21.
IV. Salutations and conclusion, 22-25
C. I. Scofield