The letter of Philemon (pronounced (fih-lee-mun) is a call to love with faith in action.
Paul writes this personal letter from one brother to another, asking Philemon to lay down his rights for someone who harmed him. In this letter, Paul is requesting Philemon to illustrate to Paul and the church what he is really made of. This letter doesn’t build up or instruct. It is a window to a scene in which we all wonder, what will Philemon do? Will he actively demonstrate the love and forgiveness of Christ in which he has been taught? When challenged, will Philemon choose to demonstrate love with faith in action?
Philemon was a wealthy Roman citizen and early Christian leader in Colossae. He hosted a local church in his home and was known for his active faith and love for other believers. He was a Roman citizen and likely met Paul in Ephesus where he became a follower of Christ. He was highly regarded and loved by Paul. (google AI search)
In the context of Roman times, Philemon is the victim in this scenario. Yes, slavery is wrong all the way around, but let’s, for a moment, focus on Roman times. Philemon is the victim here. His slave ran away and possibly stolen property from him. Philemon was probably outraged and embarrassed. When we are victims of someone else’s crimes, we feel angry and ashamed. Someone got the better of him. Philemon deserved justice.
Onesimus was born in the region of Phrygia and was a slave. He decided to run away and may have taken something of value when he left.
Under Roman law, runaway slaves were considered criminals and suffered brutal punishment including being branded on the forehead, severe beatings, forced labor or even crucifixion. (google search)
So Onesimus was not only a runaway slave but a thief as well. He ran 1,180 miles across the ocean and landed in Rome.
At the time, Paul was either in a prison or under house arrest in Rome.
And Onesimus just happened to run into Paul?
This was not happenstance. This was predestined. This was a divine encounter.
Let’s take a look at the bigger picture:
God loved Onesimus before Onesimus even knew God.
Jeremiah 1:5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born.
Romans 5:8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Onesimus was a slave and today, he would have every right to run away. But that wasn’t the case in Rome 60-62 AD.
Paul is explicit about following the laws of authority.
1Peter 2:13-14 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.
How in the world did Onesimus meet Paul?
Ephesians 1:4-6 tells us that God chose Onesimus before the foundation of the world. He was predestined to be adopted as a son through Jesus for himself, according to the good pleasure of God’s will.
God, through manifest destiny, brought Onesimus to Paul to share the gospel with him. Onesimus accepted and Paul grew to love him like a son. LIKE A SON! (verse 10). Paul describes him as his very own heart. Paul wanted to keep Onesimus as a helper but knew there must be reconciliation. Despite the fatherly love he felt for Onesimus, he also loved Philemon. So Paul sent him back so that there may be reconciliation between them.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
As I read this 25-verse letter for the 10th time, I’m overwhelmed by God’s kindness. I can’t get over it. Every time I read it, I am astonished at His grace and mercy.
Paul took this situation so personally he wrote “in his own hand” (verse 19). He desired a true reconciliation between these two.
Paul was Philemon’s superior and had every right to demand reconciliation. Paul was his elder, rabbi and close friend.
But that is not what he did.
In gentle love, he reached out to his brother in Christ.
Philemon had every right to punish Onesimus for what he had done. Philemon deserved justice.
Onesimus was wrong in every action except one.
He heard the good news of Christ and repented for what he had done.
Paul recognized his true repentance and decided to stand in the gap for him. In verse 15, Paul points out they were separated for a purpose. A purpose that benefited Onesimus who suffered godly grief that resulted in his salvation. Philemon suffered a godly grief that would be a test of his faith.
In verse 17 he asks the question of his good friend Philemon. “Do you consider me a partner? Will you welcome Onesimus as if it were myself?” Paul goes even further to settle any debts Onesimus has. Verse 18 “And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.”
MIKE DROP!
Lets take a step back. Can you imagine…
How Onesimus felt the entire journey back to Colossae? How many times was he tempted just to keep running? 1,180 miles of thoughts dashing through his head as he approaches the house he ran away from. Will I be killed? Will they even give me a chance to hand them the letter?
Can you imagine when Philemon laid eyes on Onesimus? The outrage he must have felt! He must have wanted to pummel him!
What about all the church standing around watching this scene unfold! They all knew what had happened. Everyone knew the scandal. How dare Onesimus stand there after what he done! What is Philemon going to do?
Remember, this letter carried by Onesimus was not only addressed to Philemon but also to the rest of the church. The protocol for a letter written by the Apostle Paul was to read it aloud. In front of everyone. As soon as the letter arrived.
I’m sure Philemon had to take a moment and regain his composure. He would have to take the letter from Onesimus and read it out loud to the church right then and there! While this traitor stood next to him.
Can you imagine how Onesimus felt?
He sheepishly handed the letter.
He probably had his head hanging low in shame.
Philemon with a cracked voice begins to read the letter out loud.
Paul greets everyone. Reminds them that he prays for their participation in the faith and that it may become effective through knowing every good thing in us for the glory of Christ.
Philemon must have taken a big swallow and breathed a big sigh after reading that.
He then appeals to Philemon on the basis of love (verse 9). If that were me, this is where my heart would have dropped…ugh!
Paul has called this slave, this thief, his SON… (gut punch)
He says he is sending his very heart back to me (deep breath and a little nausea)
He describes him as “useless then; but useful now”. (Another big sigh.)
He is asking for my consent… He wants me to no longer call him a slave but as a dearly beloved brother. - I think this may have broken Philemon’s will. Where he had to crucify his flesh. Sacrifice his will and forfeit revenge, Lay down justice and crucify the will, To extend forgiveness to someone who did not deserve it.
Galatians 5:24-25 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Every part of this letter must have torn Philemon’s heart a part. Under anger there is always pain.
Paul was his superior and he had every right to demand mercy. Yet despite his position, He makes his appeal based on Love…not authority.
But… you can’t demand mercy. Paul knew this.
Mercy is extravagant unfailing love while showing compassion.
It goes beyond reason; when it is in your power and it is your right to punish. You then lay down that power and you choose to relenquish that right.
Paul asked Philemon to forgive and welcome him back not as property, but as beloved brother in Christ.
Paul concludes he is confident of Philemon’s obedience and knows he will not only forgive Onesimus, but he will take him back into his life as a brother in Christ, no longer a slave. Love with faith in action.
The bible does not explicitly tell us what Philemon did but, other writings indicate he laid down the power and right to seek justice.
We see in Colossians 4:7,9 where Paul mentions Onesimus traveling to Colossae as a messenger. Philemon may have sent Onesimus to Paul to help spread the gospel. (Colossians and Philemon were written around the same time, possibly within 2 years of each other). Making Onesimus finally live up to his name in the Greek which was “useful”, “profitable”, helpful.
Philemon took this opportunity to take a really bad situation and allowed the Holy Spirit to prevail.
He didn’t respond to the temptation of the flesh to take revenge. But offered love and mercy just as Christ did for us.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
What a testimony to the church, watching this unfold. Philemon truly denied himself, took up his cross, and followed Christ that day. Love and faith in action.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.
Side note: 45-50 years after Philemon was written, we discover in Ignatius’s Epistle to the Ephesians that Onesimus on day became Bishop of Ephesus, after Timothy.
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