Letter of Paul to Philemon – Outline


The epistle to Philemon is one of three letters that Paul wrote to the regions of Asia and Phrygia during his first Roman imprisonment. In this short letter, Paul appeals to Philemon regarding Onesimus, the runaway slave.

  • Prescript, 1-3 (Author, recipients, greeting)
  • Opening thanksgiving, 4-7 (Exordium)
  • Body middle, 8-20 (Note the inclusio in vv. 7 and 20)
    1. Prelude to the appeal, 8-16 (Probatio)
      • Manner, 8-9
      • Subject, 10-11
      • Circumstances, 12-16
        • Natural, 12-14
        • Divine, 15-16
    2. Specifics of the appeal, 17-20 (Peroratio)
  • Epilogue, 21 (Concluding statement)

Postscript, 22-25 (Travelogue, greetings, and benediction)

In addition to the outline, the PDF version of Letter of Paul to Philemon – Outline highlights additional rhetorical features, Greek text.

PDF ver. 2014-03-01
1 p. 4.67 x 7.08″ .06 mb
2223220-phm00-out-bcrx-20140301

PDF version history:
2014-03-01: Updated SKU
2011-05-28: New release

Philemon – Outline | End | To the top ↑