Paul and Greco-Roman Letters - page 1
Keywords: Humanities, Biblical Studies
By ju on 18/02/2007
Level: Bachelor Honours Degree (BA, BEng, BSc etc)
Page Number: 1 of 2 pages: 1 2
Paul and Greco-Roman Letters
In analysing the structure of a Greco Roman letter there appears to be a format that the writer will follow. Such a letter will have main sections with an introduction, main message and a conclusion. In this instance, the letter of Philemon will be assessed to see how much it does or does not share the in the similar observations made about the format of a Greco Roman letter.
An introduction to a Greco Roman letter will typically state who the intended audience the message is intended for, who sent it, and a blessing. In the letter to Philemon Paul states that he is the writer and that he is writing to and the church that meets in his house (Phlm.1-2). He then makes his greeting “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1-3) and the beginning of the letter is finished with a blessing. “I always thank God when I remember you in my prayers…” (Phlm. 1:4-7). Nearly every letter attributed to Paul has a beginning similar to the one of Philemon, which follows the typical Greco Roman format.
After the letters beginning the main message of the letter is written and this can also be split into sections. There will usually be an initaial statement, followed by a thesis statement. The letter will then have a theological discussion ending eith any ethical issues that the author may feel need addressing. When reading Philemon it is evident that the letter follows such a structure. In verses 8-10 the initial statement is an appeal on behalf of the slave Onesimus and Paul then moves on to make his thesis statement that Onesimus is useful to both Philemon and himself. Paul then moves onto his theological discussion about freedom and love. “No longer as a slave but better than a slave as a dear brother” (Phlm 1:16) meaning that Paul would resist the idea that Onesimus was a slave to Philemon, but now a brother and partner in Christ, therefore making the slave relationship impossible. Paul then moves onto the ethical issues as he feels he needs to raise, in this case he states that Philmon should be obedient to him (Phlm.1:18-21)
The final section deals with the conclusion which contains greetings from different individuals, a personal postscript and then a final prayer. The structure of Philemon does not differ from the general contruction
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