Basically, the letter of Philemon is the letter to single person named Philemon while Paul was in the prison; unlike other letters to the various churches. The letter specifically reveals event between Philemon and Onesimus; a runaway slave. Onesimus was one of slaves that Philemon has. According to Ehrman, Philemon was described as a wealthy Christian. It tells us that “He had a private home large enough to accommodate a church, and he owned slaves” (pg. 246). It seems like Philemon has quite a high class social status. Not only that, he has role in religious authority as well. Ehrman states that “Tradition holds that Philemon was a leader of the church in the town of Colossae” (pg. 246).

As it mentioned earlier, Onesimus was one of slaves of Philemon. He escaped from Philemon’s house and flees to Paul. Ehrman states that “he evidently had valuable property that could be stolen, since Paul thinks that Onesimus may have run off with some of it,” (pg. 246). However, there would be a question why Onesimus went to Paul, whom is one of “his master’s friends”, instead of just running away to the place that nobody would find him. Ehrman tells us the reason “Recent studies of ancient Roman slavery law may provide an answer to this question. It was a legally recognized practice for a slave who had incurred his or her master’s wrath to flee to one of the master’s trusted associates to plea for his intervention and protection. The associates them served as a kind of official mediator,” (pg. 247). According to Roman culture in first century, Paul had authority to mediate between Philemon and Onesimus. Also Ehrman adds that “Rather than stand and face the consequence, [Onesimus] flee to Paul, the apostle who had converted his master to a new religion and who was therefore a known and respected authority for him” (pg. 247). Onesimus believed that Paul would be help to make better consequence. Paul mentions in the letter that “If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account” (Philemon 1:18). Onesimus had successfully pulled off the help; Paul wrote to the Philemon to forgive Onesimus. So it appears that Philemon has a debt to Paul that Paul had converted Philemon into Christian. Ehrman says “[Philemon] stood in Paul’s debt, as Paul not so subtly reminds him: “I say nothing about your owing me even your own self”. For this reason, it appears likely that Philemon was one of Pauls’ converts” (pg.246). Not only that, Paul emphasizes that Onesimus has become Christian as well. In Philemon 1:16, Paul tells him to receive Onesimus as “no longer as a slave but [as] a beloved brother”.  So he is forgiven and became brother as Ehrman adds up that “Onesimus himself becomes converted to faith in Christ”. Furthermore, Paul adds into the letter to free, in his word calle “manumit”, Onesimus, so that he could be engage in missionary work.

Very first moment I am reading this letter would be upset because, at that time of first century, slaves were considered as property. They did not have any rights. Onesimus escaped with his properties as well. It would be hard to forgive him. However, in Christian view, Paul treated Onesimus as human being (brother) and he would be a good path for his missionary. Also Paul was the one who converts Philemon as Christian, so that Philemon would acknowledge Paul as “respected” authority. Paul’s personal visit to the group would influence my respond because of Paul’s authority to the group.