Philemon 1 “No Fuss for Onesimus”

“No Fuss for Onesimus”

Philemon 1

Paul wrote many letters. They make up the majority New Testament. The shortest one he wrote, Philemon, is only 1 chapter and 25 verses. While short, it is a very personal letter in which Paul sends forth a plea for restoration between “beloved brothers”. It is a difficult situation, but we see how skillful Paul is in dealing with it. He weaves an exquisite picture in which he behaves like Christ, providing an example of Christ’s own death and resurrection for us.

Paul is widely accepted as the author of this letter. It is linked closely to his letter to the Colossians. Both letters seem to be written during his first imprisonment in Rome for preaching the gospel, and carried out together by Tychicus. Before we turn to Philemon, let’s look at it’s possible early history in Colossians 4:7-9.

Paul ends the letter to the Colossians pointing to several individuals. In chapter 4:7 there is a special section regarding the characters in Philemon.

7 “As to all my affairs, Tychicus our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.”

Tychicus is Paul’s messenger, carrying information to the church at Colossae. Traveling with him is a man by the name of Onesimus. Paul describes him as a beloved brother, faithful (so a believer) and ”one of your number” or one who is from Colossae. They more than likely carried the letter to Philemon as well, as Onesimus’ final destination was to him.

(1:1-3) 1 “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker 2 and to Apphia our sister, and 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.

In the opening, Paul names himself as author, along with a title which claims his imprisonment for preaching the gospel

He also notes that Timothy is with him, not necessarily imprisoned, but in contact somehow

He names his intended readership as Philemon first, then Apphia and Archippus. He acknowledges them all as fellow believers

In verse three he asks for grace and peace from God and Christ to be upon them.

(4-7) 4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul begins his appeal to Philemon by commending him for the love and faith he has for Christ and the other believers. Philemon is well known for these traits, for word to have spread to Paul.

Paul also gives support for Philemon’s spiritual growth hoping that as he understands the good in him from Christ, it will spread even more

He commends him as well for being refreshing to the other believers

(8-9) 8 “Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus-”

Paul trusts his position in Christ that he has the authority to order Philemon to do the right thing

However, Paul does not what Philemon to do because he was told, he wants Philemon to have the choice, to live under the law of liberty

Remember in James, he asked us to live as if judged by the law of liberty

This is freedom choose, what is right, before Christ we could not choose

Paul points out in verse 9 that when given the freedom to choose, if you choose to do the right thing, it is for “love’s sake” it is done.

He makes note of his eldership as well as his imprisonment.

(10-11) 10 “I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”

Here Paul names the reason for his letter, it’s Onesimus, the one travelling with Tychicus, who is from Colossae, and a beloved brother

The letter is appeal to Philemon to allow Onesimus something yet unnamed.

Onesimus is considered by Paul as his child, this would mean that Paul lead him to a faith in Christ, evidently while in prison

Verse 11 shows Paul knows something of the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon, as he admits, Philemon thought he was useless while they were together.

Paul believes that Onesimus is different, and now useful to both of them.

(12-16) 12 “I have sent him back to you in person, that, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps he was for the reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”

Paul has a great relationship with Onesimus, he loves him dearly, as Paul has proven in his writings of all those he led to the faith

He has the same feelings towards Philemon, in verse 12 Paul compares sending Onesimus to Philemon the same as sending his heart. It is an action that reveals his love for both.

If he had kept Onesimus there, to work alongside him, he points out the the credit for his work would find it’s way back to Philemon, as Onesimus came from him.

But in verse 14, Paul did not want to coerce Philemon's decision or make it for him. He wishes for the brother to decide out of free will.

However the two were separated to begin with, Paul makes note that maybe the separation was a God-thing, so Onesimus would come to faith and then return

Verse 16 tells the reader the relationship between Onesimus and Philemon, Onesimus was his slave. This would be a strained relationship at best.

Very difficult situation

Notice how Paul never condemns or rebukes Philemon for owning slaves. This was customary at the time, apart of the culture, however that doesn’t make it right. Especially between two believers.

How does Paul handle this difficult situation? By appealing to the well-known love and faith of Philemon, and his free-will to choose what is right.

Even though the master-slave relationship was customary, Paul changes this relationship, and instructs on what it should be in verse 16.

“No longer a slave...a beloved brother” this is the proper relationship, not master-slave, but beloved brother

Paul sees them both as his beloved brothers, both “in the flesh and in the Lord”.

So the story has become difficult knowing that Onesimus was Philemon’s slave, who probably ran away and ended up in Rome. And Paul, the guy who led you to faith in Christ, is telling you this former slave is a believer as well, and the right thing would be for Philemon to let him back in, not as a slave but a brother.

(17-20) 17 “If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; 19 I , Paul am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.”

Now the story is even more difficult, as it seems the former slave probably stole something, or at least owes Philemon something of value.

But look how Paul handles it. He places who he is before Philemon, “if you regard me a partner” he is taking Philemon’s mind off of his thoughts of Onesimus, and placing them on him, Paul, his partner in Christ

Paul is saying to accept Onesimus in on my account.

And of what he owes? Paul tells Philemon, charge it to me. Consider his debt paid, I will take care of it. Hold nothing against Onesimus. Whatever it takes to get you to forget about his past, forgive him and accept him as a brother, do that.

Paul assures Philemon, that in choosing this path it would be a gift to him, a refreshing of his heart in Christ.

(21-22) 21 “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.”

Paul ends his appeal by resting his assurance on Philemon’s obedience, which is seen because of his love and faith for Christ. He believes Philemon will do even more than was requested.

He expresses hope in leaving prison soon, and assures Philemon he will visit him, so be ready.

(23-25) 23 “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

He ends the letter with well wishes from several beleivers who are with him. Epaphras is in jail with him, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke are in contact with him as well, probably not imprisoned.

And finally he closes with the wish of Christ’s grace bie with him.

Paul navigated a difficult situation well. At this point, I am not sure if Philemon did the right thing, but I think he did. Paul completely diffused the situation by understanding the issues between his two beloved brothers, taking the focus off of them, and placing himself at the center, “accept him because of me.”

While short, this story presents to us a former master-slave that needed forgiveness and restoration, not back to the corrupt relationship they once had, but a new corrected relationship. In order for this to happen, it took a third party. An individual who knew the truth, and was willing to take all the wrongdoing and offense that happened out of the picture. The result would be a restored relationship founded on authentic love for one another, not because of worthiness on the part of the wrongdoer, but worthiness on the part of the interceder. Philemon accepted Onesimus back not because of his changed life, but because on the basis of his connection to Paul. I would imagine Paul might have needed to have a similar conversation with Onesimus, about accepting Philemon back, not as master, but as beloved brother.

This is what Christ has done for us. A great example of relationship restored, based on the love of another.