Panayotis Coutsoumpos

Reading Philemon Panayotis Coutsoumpos

Paul's letter to Philemon is one of the writings that seem likely as a common Hellenistic letter of the time. In the letter to Philemon, we find basic concepts of the author's theology on the issues of the slavery and human relationships. What made Philemon a special letter is an appealing, refined and sophisticated (rhetorical) style. Another feature of Philemon is its originality and more remarkable is Paul's appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Paul writes as a 'prisoner of Christ' but shows few details regarding the situation of his imprisonment. Paul distinguishes Philemon's love and faith because he sees them as indissoluble. Thus, Philemon is a revealing text because it is the one New Testament letter that deals with a case of slavery.