Forgiveness Deeper Than You Know Part 2 Philemon 8-16

Introduction

Recap

Paul writes a letter to Philemon a fellow laborer in Colossae who has done great work who is also the owner of a runaway slave named Onesimus.

Paul has reminded Philemon of who he is because of the monumental transformation he is going to make and a transformation that has been made.

Philemon is about forgiveness even though the word itself is never used.

Paul never mentions forgiveness but how he approaches forgiveness lets us know that Philemon understands the biblical principle.

Paul loves Philemon

Verse 1 he calles agapetos

Verse 7 he says they found consolation or comfort and joy in his love.

Paul has tenderized Philemon for the tough change of mind he is about to face.

Forgiveness Requires Us to Open Up Our Lives to Someone Else (Reception)

Philemon 8 NKJV

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,

Philemon 9 NKJV

yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

Forgiveness Requires Repentance From The Offender if There is Going to Be a Relationship (Repentance)

Onesimus Did 3 Things That is Important For Forgiveness

He is repentant, He is transformed, and He is faithful!

Onesimus is Repentant

Philemon 10 NKJV

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

He is obviously repentant because he is still with Paul after he found out Paul had a relationship with Philemon. No coincidence they met.

Onesimus is Transformed!

Philemon 11 NKJV

who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

Onesimus was once useless as in he probably did what was needed to get by rather than serving from a since heart according to Colossians 3:22-23.

Colossians 3:22–23 NKJV

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Paul now says he no longer useless but he now lives up to what his name means! Onesimus means “useful”!

Onesimus is transformed!

He is a new creature and a new man in Christ

He ain’t the same man that ran away from you!

Onesimus is Faithful!

Philemon 12 NKJV

I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

Paul would not send Onesimus back unless he was faithful

Paul would not ask Philemon to receive him if he was not faithful

Paul called Onesimus his heart!

Paul was referring to the inner part of himself.

Paul was saying his feelings run deep for Philemon.

His forgiveness runs deep and so he wants Philemon to have the same feeling.

Philemon 13 NKJV

whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

Paul is saying he is my heart and it is cutting out my heart to send him back but it is necessary for reconciliation and transformation!

Philemon 14 NKJV

But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

Now he goes back to the heart of Philemon

Notice the respect of Paul: he did not want to hide the fact Onesimus was with him

He didn’t want to keep him selfishly

He wanted to send him back so that Philemon could be transformed fully as Onesimus has been transformed!

He continues to tenderize the heart of Philemon and remind him of who he is and that the transformation can only come willfully and not out of compulsion, coercion, or command!

He wants Philemon to do it out of love!

Philemon 15 NKJV

For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,

Now watch this, this is important.

They could not have a relationship unless this providential act transpired.

They never could have an appropriate relationship without repentance on behalf of Onesimus and the transformation of Philemon.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

When a bad things happens that leads someone to the truth and God through Christ maybe its God’s plan!

Paul is telling Philemon maybe this is, or this is God’s plan!

Philemon 16 NKJV

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.

Transformation time Philemon!

And when you receive him back don’t receive him back as a slave but more than a slave!

A brother and a slave.

He will be useful as in the work he was commissioned to do but also from the perspective of a laborer for the Lord.

And while Paul is not abolishing slavery it is this type of transformation that abolished slavery and created right relationships.