The apostle Paul's letter to his friend and fellow Christian Philemon, which focuses on the question of slavery, has long been debated. Onesimus, one of Philemon's slaves, has left his master's house and sought refuge with Paul, during which time he has converted to Christianity. In a letter to
Philemon, Paul assures his friend that he is sending Onesimus back, but pleads for mercy on the slave's behalf, asking
Philemon to treat him as a beloved brother and as he would
treat the apostle himself. Examining Paul's letter within
the context of the social, political and economic realities
of the time, Fitzmyer sheds light on the question of whether
Paul was suggesting that Onesimus be granted freedom from slavery or whether he was simply advocating a lenient treatment of Onesimus. His insights not only clarify Paul's position, but show why the letter is relevant in the Church
today. Like his magisterial Anchor Bible commentaries on
Romans, Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Fitzmyer's commentary on the Letter to Philemon represents the finest of modern biblical scholarship.
Joseph A. Fitzmyer is a Jesuit priest and professor emeritus, Biblical Studies, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. He has edited and published numerous books on the New Testament, ancient Aramaic, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and he has served as president of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Society for New Testament Study. He lives in Washington, DC.