Volume IV
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon.
With John Brown’s marginal references, notes and reflections · Vol. IV, p. 455
This epistle is distinguished as an act of intercession, and furnishes a beautiful specimen of that deep interest which Christians in the higher ranks of life should take in the welfare of those whom Providence has placed in less favourable circumstances. C.
This epistle was written during Paul's first captivity at Rome, and probably just before the Epistle to the Colossians. Philemon seems to have been a member of that church (cf. ver. 10 with Col. 4. 9), and to have been converted by the preaching of Paul. 'The bearer of the epistle was a slave who had run away from, and, as it would seem, robbed Philemon (ver. 18), but who now, after having had the blessing of meeting with St. Paul at Rome, and by being converted to Christianity by him, was returning to the master he had wronged, changed and repentant.' The object of the epistle is evident:—it was to effect a complete reconciliation between master and slave. P.