The 259th Letter to Philemon 7
Since its content was written for a specific purpose, it is hardly surprising that the Epistle to Philemon scarcely touches on theology or philosophy. Martin Luther interpreted the Epistle to Philemon from the perspective of “forgiveness,” common to both Paul and Christ, yet even Luther did not consider Paul to be contemplating social reform in this letter.
However, recent scholarship suggests that the phrase “my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment” indicates this letter concerns Paul's designation of a successor. While some interpret “begotten in my imprisonment” as referring to baptism, considering Onesimus was a slave of the overseer of the house church, it is unlikely he was unbaptized when he met Paul. “My very heart, Onesimus” suggests a father-son relationship with Paul. Yet Onesimus remains Philemon's slave. “If he has wronged you in any way” may be a hypothetical reference to professional negligence, not implying Onesimus was an incompetent slave. “Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to both you and me” contains a play on the word “Christ,” meaning “what was useless for Christ has become useful.” Indeed, in the Letter to the Colossians, Onesimus appears as a close servant of Christ to Paul. Thus, the essential purpose of this letter is Onesimus's emancipation from slavery, and “even more than I say” likely means establishing him as a servant of Christ. And Paul's requests are all fitting.