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Letter From Paul To Philemon Analysis

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The book of Philemon, although short in length, packs a noteworthy dual message utilizing the concept of slavery. There is the overarching theme of relations between master and slave, as well as the human desire of wanting to enjoy true freedom. The letter from Paul to Philemon explores their relationship and how the conversion of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, to Christianity could impact the relationship of a slave and slave owner. Additionally, Paul touches upon how he thinks friend Philemon should react, thus leaving it open to interpretation as to his thoughts on the institution of slavery. The principles that play out in Paul’s letter show relevancy to everyday life, but in particular to my professional role; therefore, proving it is timeless. …show more content…

This type of relationship indicated essentially two roles, that of an employer and employee, with the employer being the authoritative one. The consistent theme Paul relays is that bondservants are to be obedient to whomever oversees their labor, however, this did not give master the right to mistreat their laborers (Ephesians 6:5-9, NKJV). His attitude towards this subject clearly reveals that no human should be lorded over in an abusive fashion, regardless of the type of relationship between two …show more content…

With slavery being a normal part of the culture during Paul’s life, one could argue his viewpoints surrounding it were nonconventional, as they encourage a respectful relationship between master and slave; therefore, his letter points more to the demise of institutional slavery. This opinion is supported in the lecture notes titled “Prison Letters of Paul” (n.d.) under the Philemon section as it stated, “…Paul certainly plants seeds for a more explicit abolition found in later centuries” (p. 79). His advocating for this is apparent throughout his New Testament books by clearly illustrating his attitude towards this subservient relationship that many were a part of. With slaves considered an inferior class, Paul’s authority that masters are also answerable to God projected a deflation of egotistical superiority over those who owned slaves. An impeccable demonstration is in Paul’s words, “Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1, NKJV). Slaves deserved the right to be treated humanely, as well as to have freedom in the salvation of Jesus. Paul revealed his thoughts on this through his letter to Philemon, in that he should exonerate Onesimus, as shown in these words, “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say”

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This shows that religion went hand and hand with indentured servitude. It indirectly tells the readers that potential indentured servitude owners were mostly likely christian. This helps reveal to the authors the main goal of the system, to convert more people to christianity. The indentured servitude system was well thought out.

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In the book of Philemon, many scholars differ in their opinion of why Paul wrote a personal letter to Philemon, the master to Onesimus. A couple of those reasons could be that Paul hoped that Philemon would release the slave so that he could work for him or that he wanted Onesimus to be treated better than before since slaves were treated harshly. Although, there were suspicions as to why Onesimus could have gotten himself into trouble. These reasons consist of him stealing property or money from his master, then accidentally running into Paul while he was in prison. The other reason consisted of him displeasing his master and leaving out to find Paul.

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1. Fredrick Douglass witnessed harsh and violent actions throughout his slave life, as slave owners utilized Christianity as a justification for these actions and for the system of slavery. Douglass experienced this religious abuse throughout his life as a slave. However, in 1832, when he began working for Captain Auld, he witnessed the misuse of religion in the setting of a violent action. After Auld whipped a young woman, he justified his actions by quoting the Bible: “He that knoweth his master’s will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many strips” (33).

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Slavery directly violates the Christian principle that God created all humans, illustrating why slavery needs to be abolished in the United States. Currently, in the United States, black Americans are not seen as equal to white Americas; however, this idea goes against the Christian value that God created all humans to serve him. In “David Walker’s Appeal in Four Articles”, Walker states, “God made man to serve Him alone, and that man should have no other Lord or Lords but himself” (Walker, 163). In his appeal, Walker argues that the goal of the Christian faith is to serve God and no one else. This Christian belief is violated through the act of slavery.

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The slaveholders stated that slavery should not be abolished because it is described in the Bible

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In the narrative “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave”, Frederick Douglass shows the religious irony in southern slaveholding culture. Douglass gives the reader personal accounts of how brutally some slaves were treated on the plantations. Douglass also contrast the differences between southern and northern slaveholding culture. In the appendix, Douglass argues that there a major differences between Christianity shown to us in the South and Christianity shown to us in the Bible. Douglass gives us personal insight to the life of a slave and their treatment.

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Yes, there were slaves in Bible times, but doesn’t selfless agape love demand their freedom?” I believe Christ’s references about immorality and hypocrisy

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This introduced the principle that slavery was a sin and an abomination. Ministers in the North preached about the horrors of slavery, especially the slave trade, and that God would seek vengeance on any nation that committed such cruelties. In New York during the year 1810, Reverend William Miller gave a sermon on the abolition of the slave trade stating, “ According to the basis of the christian religion, we are bound to love God with all our soul, and our neighbor as ourselves: but this sacred injunction does not reach the heart of the oppressors of Africans” (Miller 11). This was the very premise for most of the Abolition Movement: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

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Basicly he asked Philemon to treat him like he was no longer a slave, but more like a brother. Not only for him, but as someone dear to him as well. The way the letter was written was describing Onesimus as someone equal like himself. He even offered to pay his debt or whatever he was accused of stealing. He gave this advice because he wanted Philemon reputation and Christian love to show through his actions regarding Onesimus.

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Better than me. Stronger, tougher” (2004: p.72), or we can read from his point of view how he doubts his manhood while Mr. Garner calls his slaves “men”, “Garner called and announced them men- but only on sweet Home and by his leave. Was he naming what he saw or creating what he did not? …concerning his own manhood, [Paul D] could not satisfy himself on that point” (2004:

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PAGE 2 In the Narrative Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, he uses this text to explain his purpose in “throwing light on the American slave system”, or show it for what it really is, as well as show his position on how he strongly believes slavery is an issue that needs to be addressed and how it differs from those who defended slavery, with experiences from his own life to support his argument. Douglass uses experience from his early days as a young slave to throw light on the aspect of physical abuse. According to his narrative, Douglass states, “Master, however, was not a humane slaveholder.

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Douglass has shown how religious slaveholders are the worst especially when entertainment comes into play. The first being from one of his slaveholders Master Thomas, he whipped a young woman while reading a quote from the scripture to explain his reason for whipping her. The next example was with his other Master Mr.Covey, he would go to church and preach the word but come back beating slaves and going against the almighty God. The last example that is shown is again shown with Mr.Covey, he was guilty of compelling his woman slave to commit the sin of adultery. All of the examples illustrate that religious slaveholders are worst than non-religious slaveholders.

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Slavery through the eyes of activists On December fifteenth, in eighteen sixty-five, the United States abolished slavery with the thirteenth amendment. Powerful individuals such as Frederick Douglass, David Walker, Nat Turner, Sojourner Truth, and Benjamin Banneker were people that longed to see the day that they would be free from slavery. Although these five individuals were never in contact with one another they all shared the same drive and motivation to change the way people viewed slavery for the better. These individuals accomplished their goal of changing slavery with a strong belief in god, a strong political voice and a light in them that never died.

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Also, in the same chapter, Douglass’ expresses his feelings for Mr.Freeland stating, “I will give Mr.Freeland the credit for being the best master I ever had” (Douglass 49). Douglass’ states that Mr.Freeland was not religious but he was the best master he ever had. It is ironic that non-religious slaveholders treat their slaves better than religious slaveholders. Therefore, Douglass notes the irony of religious and non-religious slaveholders: religious slaveholders being more cruel than non-religious slaveholders. Douglass perceives how slaves are treated worse than animals.

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