This image is the cover for the book The Letter to Philemon, The New International Commentary on the New Testament

The Letter to Philemon, The New International Commentary on the New Testament

The Academy of Parish Clergy’s 2018 Top Five Reference Books for Parish Ministry

Paul's letter to Philemon carries a strong message of breaking down social barriers and establishing new realities of conduct and fellowship. It is also a disturbing text that has been used to justify slavery. Though brief, Philemon requires close scrutiny.

In this commentary Scot McKnight offers careful textual analysis of Philemon and brings the practice of modern slavery into conversation with the ancient text. Too often, McKnight says, studies of this short letter gloss over the issue of slavery—an issue that must be recognized and dealt with if Christians are to read Philemon faithfully. Pastors and scholars will find in this volume the insight they need to preach and teach this controversial book in meaningful new ways.

Scot McKnight

Scot McKnight is Karl A. Olsson Professor in ReligiousStudies at North Park University, Chicago, Illinois. Hismany other books include The Jesus Creed: Loving God,Loving Others; A Community Called Atonement; NIVApplication Commentary volumes on Galatians and 1 Peter;and (coedited with James D. G. Dunn) The HistoricalJesus in Recent Research. He also writes theaward-winning Jesus Creed blog at patheos.com.

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company