Final answer:
Paul structured his letter to Philemon as a rhetorical-persuasive genre, utilizing ethos, logos, and pathos to build rapport, appeal to logic, and move emotions for a formal request. This approach is tied to his broader role in spreading Christianity, where his understanding of different cultures and contexts allowed him to craft compelling arguments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paul carefully structured his letter to Philemon according to the rhetorical-persuasive genre of a formal request for a favor. In his approach, Paul utilized a combination of rhetorical appeals which include ethos (appeal to ethics), logos (appeal to logic), and pathos (appeal to emotions) as defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. The specific strategy Paul uses is designed to first build rapport with Philemon, presenting himself as a credible figure (ethos), then he logically presents his case using facts and sound reasoning (logos), and finally, he appeals to Philemon's emotions (pathos) to try and sway his judgment.
In the broader context of his work, Paul was instrumental in the spread of Christianity throughout Greco-Roman cities. His experience with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds influenced his sophisticated use of rhetoric, expertly tailoring his writings to the context and audience – an important aspect known as kairos, or the timeliness and appropriateness of the argument.
By understanding the purpose of Paul's letter, which was to persuade Philemon to grant a favor, and by recognizing the elements of a strong argument made by appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos, we can see how Paul's letter is a masterful example of the rhetorical-persuasive genre.