Philemon, Paul, Onesimus

1. Voluntary goodness

Paul could order Philemon to welcome back Onesimus unpunished, nevertheless he leaves it to Philemon's own free will (Phm 1:8-9,14,21).

One person may do something because he is obligated, another because he is rewarded, another in order to graciously give. We would all recognize the latter as the most noble. It is not wrong for Christians to be moved by the fear of God's wrath, but it is nobler to be moved by his grace and love. Paul wanted Philemon to be so moved.

2. Accepting providence

Paul saw God working things out for Onesimus (Phm 1:15) and through prayers even for himself (Phm 1:22). The spirit of dog-eat-dog and self-congratulation, is so common among people of the world. However, it is not the spirit of the mature Christian. The mature Christian looks for God's providence, and accepts whatever answers God grants.

3. Helping the helpless

Today people fight for their rights, while all around them people are downtrodden and helpless. Paul owed nothing to Onesimus, but he was willing to write a promissory note for an unspecified amount, taking upon himself the debt that Onesimus could not pay (Phm 1:18-19). He must have been conscious, as he did so, that when he was helpless Christ had died for him (Rom 5:6).

Paul converted Philemon, and between the two men, there had grown a bond of love. In prison, Paul converted another man, Onesimus. They also both loved each other dearly.

There was, however, a problem. Onesimus was the slave of Philemon, and Onesimus had run away. We do not know how Onesimus met Paul. He may have sought Paul out, or he may simply have bumped into him in prison. Somehow, the Lord brought them together.

By writing this letter, Paul helped Onesimus out of his plight. He had saved Onesimus's soul. Now he was saving his skin.

Not only in this letter to Philemon, but also to the whole church at Colossae, Paul commends Onesimus, having exhorted the slave masters to grant justice to their slaves, knowing there is a greater Master in heaven (Col 4). This would not be lost on Philemon.

The letter to Philemon is nearly 2000 years old. It is not unique in this, because we can read a great many letters of that time which have come down to us by some means either by preservation or by copies (as with Philemon).

This letter to Philemon is special because it so beautifully portrays mature Christian attitudes and relationships. It also exemplifies the peace and reconciliation between men that the gospel of Christ brings about.

There are three special ideas that this letter exemplifies for us (See right column).