Rhetorical analysis of Philemon In the book of Philemon, Paul the author is trying to peer pressure Philemon in to forgiving Onesimos, and this all happens when Onesimos gets back from prison. This letter tries to settle the personal issue between Onesimus and Philemon. Paul writes this letter trying to pressure Philemon to accept but also hoping he will accept Onesimus as a member of the household and the church as a brother of christ. Whenever Paul mentions “prisoner of christ” he is referring to is current situation as he is in prison. What is interesting is when he is first starting out the letter, he doesn’t start it with the regular “apostle” or “servant to christ” as they have been used in other letters, which really makes you think
