1. Philemon 1:1–25 (ESV)
  2. Structure and outline

Structure and outline of Philemon 1:1–25

Philemon 1:1–25 (ESV)

1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our beloved fellow worker

Philemon is a public yet personal letter. It was common for ancient letters to mention multiple recipients even if it was only for one individual.1 Letters were an established and popular method of communication in the Greek and Roman world of the New Testament.2

Most letters from the time included an address, a greeting, a body (containing the main argument), and a conclusion. In the New Testament letters, we find that Christians changed a greeting into a grace wish, and also substituted a customary health wish with thanksgiving and prayer.3

The letter to Philemon can be divided as follows:

  • Greeting (Philemon 1:1–3)

  • Thanksgiving (Philemon 1:4–5)

  • Prayer (Philemon 1:6–7)

  • An appeal on behalf of Onesimus (Philemon 1:8–16)

  • Instructions for Philemon (Philemon 1:17–22)

  • Greetings from co-workers (Philemon 1:23–24)

  • Letter closing/benediction (Philemon 1:25)