Philemon Lecture

Background: Slavery in Greco-Roman World

• Slavery - based on circumstances leading up to slavery NOT race (being conquered in war, born of a slave, an unwanted infant, or a debt)
• Mosaic Law - allowed for slavery, as long as they weren’t Jews, but should be released once debt was paid
• Roman Law - slaves could be kept for life, unless a woman bore her master 4 children or a man turned 30 (in some parts)
• Degrees of Slavery - Some slaves lived better lives than others (Household slave > Colosseum slave)
• Slavery in Church History - Christians and Bishops owned slaves, still Christianity was still a “slave’s religion”

Background: Letter to Philemon

• Onesimus - Slave to Philemon, now a runaway
• Roman Law - Paul had to return Onesimus to his master
• Sanctuary - Runaway slave can find a mediator to protect him from his master
• Colossae - met with Paul there
• Art of Persuasion - he is a Christian (a brother), Paul’s authority, etc.
• Purpose - receive Onesimus back and reconcile (and preferably set him free)

Critical Issues

• Prison Epistle - could’ve been written in Rome, Caesarea, or Ephesus prison

Themes: Slavery

• Why Didn’t Paul Condemn Slavery? - Paul still seeks Onesimus’ freedom
• Letter was public so Philemon would feel pressure against him
• Was Paul Against Slavery? - Encourages slaves not to seek freedom, Speaks about how there are no longer slaves in 1 Corinthians, Seeks Onesimus’ freedom
• Uncomfortable Reality - People can misuse the BIble (ex. Bible supports slavery)

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