PHILEMON AND ONESIMUS

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Philemon

At the end of the Apostle Pauls’ writings in the New Testament sits a one-page letter that bears the name of the recipient, Philemon.

Philemon was a wealthy man who came to faith in Christ under the ministry of the Apostle Paul. He hosted the church each week at his estate and was a close friend of Paul.

Onesimus

One of Philemon’s slaves (an all too common occurrence throughout human history) named Onesimus had apparently stolen money from his master and run off some time ago. But the Lord used this situation to help Onesimus to hear about the gift of grace given to all through Jesus Christ, and he professed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Onesimus found himself under the teaching of the Apostle Paul and he served Paul’s needs for a long time, becoming a well-respected man of God in the process. We know he was highly regarded by Paul given that Paul sent his letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Laodiceans through Onesimus as he traveled back to his old master Philemon (see Colossians 4:7-9).

Situation

According to Roman law, Philemon was expected to punish Onesimus for running away. Philemon would have been under pressure to make an example of someone who had stolen from him and shown him such disrespect. But Philemon and Onesimus were no longer in their old power dynamic of master and slave. Thanks to Christ, they were now brothers in Christ, equal in the eyes of God.

Opportunity

It is for this reason that Paul sends this letter. Paul uses this situation to teach Philemon and all others who hold such a low view of human life that they would consider it right in the eyes of God to own another human as one owns a piece of property.

Paul speaks to this opportunity to redefine this most depressing of human relationships as he appeals to Philemon as a fellow brother in Christ.

“Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.”

Philemon 8-11

Useful

The Apostle Paul hints at his authority to speak as a pillar of the faith and as a messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ in verse 8, but he relents and speaks to Philemon on the basis of love. Paul says that Onesimus (whose name means useful) was once of no real use to Philemon when he was merely a slave, but that now because of his faith, he has become useful to God.

“I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.”

Philemon 12-16

Slave No More

Paul speaks to Philemon and challenges him to treat Onesimus as a man, as a brother, as a fellow child of the Living God… Not as a slave. Jesus has changed Onesimus completely, and he is a freeman for all eternity thanks to the work of Jesus. Even if he should be forced to live as a slave in this life, he is free in Christ.

“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.”

Philemon 17-21

The Price of Obedience

Philemon is free to treat Onesimus as he chooses under the laws of mankind. Paul cannot change this reality. But he can call Philemon to obedience to Christ.

Philemon will need to set aside his pride and his desire to set an example to others who might seek to disrespect him and harm him. But this act of obedience to Jesus Christ will be rewarded through the joy that accompanies obedience.

Doing the right thing in God’s eyes may bring pain in this life, but it will be met with the smile of God in eternity.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

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