THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON
                        FROM ROME A.D. 63

                      BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION

        This little letter was sent to Philemon by Onesimus, a
converted runaway slave of Philemon, along with Tychicus who is
going to Colossae with Onesimus ( Col 4:7-9 ) as the bearer also
of the so-called Epistle to the Ephesians ( Eph 6:21f. ). Hence
it is clear that these three Epistles were carried to the
Province of Asia at the same time. Colossians was probably
written before Ephesians which appears to be a general treatment
of the same theme. Whether Philemon was actually penned before
the other two there is no way of knowing. But it is put first
here as standing apart. Probably Paul wrote it himself without
dictation because in verse  19  it constitutes a note in his own
hand to Philemon for what Onesimus may owe him. Paul applies the
spirit of Christianity to the problem of slavery in words that
have ultimately set the slaves free from bondage to men.