Philemon and Onesimus, Philemon 1, written by Pastor Steve

Philemon & Onesimus

Philemon and Onesimus conclude our Summer of Scripture series, and that’s good because these two are perhaps two of the least known characters in the New Testament! But, they do present us with a really interesting personal exchange from the life of Paul.

Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. And Philemon had somehow become a Christian under Paul’s influence. Onesimus, it seems, had also become a Christian, and at some point, Onesimus had run away and joined Paul. He had served Paul as a runaway slave while Paul was in prison, but in the context of the ancient world that presented a problem for both Paul and Onesimus. Paul was harboring a fugitive slave, and Onesimus, if he returned, would probably be executed. So what was Paul to do?

Paul decided to do what Paul did best – write a letter! He wrote to Philemon and he essentially told Philemon to accept Onesimus back no longer as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Actually, Paul told Philemon to welcome Onesimus as Philemon would welcome Paul. It’s a fascinating letter, because you can tell that Paul really is laying a guilt trip on Philemon if he decides not to do what Paul asks!

But the letter of Philemon is also important because it lifts up an essential characteristic of Paul’s theology: in Christ, all of our human relationships are redefined and put into perspective. In other letters, Paul has asserted that in Christ human distinctions are no longer the deciding factor in determining who we are and how we relate to one another: neither Jew nor Greek; neither slave nor free; not even male or female. Modern readers often criticize Paul for not condemning some of these distinctions (for example, slavery.) But in the context of the first century, what Paul said was extraordinary. Paul asserted, for example to Philemon, that Onesimus was no longer just a slave but a brother in Christ. And being a brother in Christ, whether slave or free, was the determining factor in how Philemon should treat Onesimus. (That theology, conveniently, was ignored by people who later used the Bible later to justify slavery.)

So Philemon and Onesimus remind us, as we conclude our Summer of Scripture, that in Jesus, we have a new relationship not only with God, but with each other. Jesus calls us together to be new people who, regardless of what else may be true about us, are first and foremost brothers and sisters brought together by his death and resurrection.

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,^*

To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, ²to Apphia our sister,^* to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

4 When I remember you^* in my prayers, I always thank my God ⁵because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus. ⁶I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we^* may do for Christ. ⁷I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, ⁹yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.^{* 10}I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful^* both to you and to me. ¹²I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. ¹³I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; ¹⁴but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. ¹⁵Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for ever, ¹⁶no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. ¹⁹I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. ²⁰Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

22 One thing more—prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.

Final Greetings and Benediction

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,^{* 24}and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.