Sin in Philemon

Perhaps surprisingly, I'm toying with the possibility that Philemon might have been the second of Paul's letters written. 2 Thessalonians I have great difficulty placing. It seems more appropriate in the time of Nero to me than at the time of 1 Thessalonians. Others see Paul in Greece in the early 40's (rearranging Acts) but I'm not convinced of this either. They might even date 2 Thessalonians before 1 Thessalonians (the numbering derives solely from the lengths of the two writings, not from any knowledge of their respective dating).

Ephesus makes far better sense of hints in Philemon to me than Rome. Paul was not intending on visiting East when he would get to Rome, and the proximity makes more sense of Onesimus finding him. Plus 1 Corinthians 15:32 seems to allude to a tustle with the law at Ephesus, although not one as serious as 2 Corinthians 1:8 points to.

The arguments against this early dating are 1) that Paul calls himself an old man (9) and more significantly 2) the similar names and situation that seem a part of Colossians 4. In Colossians, Paul speaks of the gospel reaching the whole world, which doesn't fit well with the time when Paul was in Ephesus. Is it likely that Paul would have the same crew around him in Rome some five years later?

Right or wrong, Philemon today it is.

Anyway, the word sin does not appear anywhere in Philemon. Verse 18 does use the word adikeo, which means to do wrong or injustice. Paul is talking about any injustice Philemon might have experienced because of Onesimus. Paul also speaks of Philemon owing Paul for himself, presumably for his salvation.