Philemon Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Philemon is one of two very personal letters in the NT (3 John is the other). This brief letter is relatively easy to understand. Philemon, a believer, lived in Colossae and welcomed the church in Colossae to meet in his home. His slave Onesimus ran away, possibly stole from Philemon, and somehow met the Apostle Paul in Rome. Onesimus not only met Paul, but he also became a Christian and turned out to be a big help to Paul who was in prison. From prison, Paul writes to Colossae, Philemon, and probably Ephesus. Tychicus and Onesimus carry these letters back to Asia Minor. In this letter, Paul makes several requests: forgive Onesimus, release him from slavery, send Onesimus back to Rome to help Paul, and if Philemon was to charge Onesimus any money Paul would pay it. Finally, he asks Philemon to prepare a guest room for Paul for an upcoming visit.
One of the first issues a modern reader from the U.S. has is about slavery. This is not the brutal, violent, chattel slavery we had in the U.S. This slavery is when a person voluntarily endured slavery to eat and therefore live. Of course, there were slaves from other countries in Rome. And it was still slavery. But the Bible would never condone the shameful, violent, anti-human, anti-family slavery our government countenanced in the south. This was barbaric and is a shame to our country. Neither does God condone this slavery. But the Bible seems to undermine slavery by the gospel and ethical obligations of the gospel.
Nevertheless, Onesimus wanted something more. So, he left Philemon. At the time of this writing, Onesimus had been in Rome and was now almost part of Paul’s team. Well, not quite but at least he was a big help to Paul. So Onesimus and Tychicus carry back these important letters. Onesimus had to be nervous wondering what his fate would be. So much had changed for him but his future was dependent on Philemon. And this letter. And Paul pulled out all the stops. Let’s observe Paul’s persuasiveness.
First, in v. 8-9, Paul says he could command Philemon but prefers to ask for his voluntary, from-the-heart obedience. Paul is clear about what he wants. Paul has the authority but while he states the possession of that authority, Paul thinks it wise not to use it. In verse 9, Paul reminds Philemon he is in prison for Christ and an old man which tugs at Philemon’s hearts strings. Now in verse 10, Onesimus has been elevated to “my child” . . . “whose father I became in my imprisonment.” Paul puts great value on Onesimus and therefore so should Philemon. In fact, Philemon’s view of Onesimus, is changing rapidly. Onesimus’ status in the church and in Philemon’s mind should chang from the beginning of the letter to the end.
Playing on the name, Paul says the Onesimus to useful to Paul and Philemon. “I am sending him back to you” – so Paul has engineered this whole trip. But see how close Paul is to Onesimus “sending my very heart.” I imagine Philemon’s heart is slowly melting, breaking as he reads Paul’s letter. Of course, we don’t know how Philemon felt, but Paul is leaving nothing to chance. Paul, in vs. 13-14, tells Philemon that he would have preferred to keep Onesimus in Rome “to serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel” but he did not want to presume upon Philemon. Paul is not too subtle. He does not want to ‘voluntold’ anyone. He wants Philemon to choose the right way.
Paul even suggests, yes states, that Onesimus’ departure may have been for a greater good, for Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. One must have a big-picture perspective to think about a runaway slave that way. Paul is not done. Notice the conditional statement, “So if you consider me your partner (of course Paul knows he does) receive him as you would receive me.” That is laying it all out. At this point, Philemon must be yelling, “Uncle!” Then in v. 18-19, Paul seals the deal with this, “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything (is Paul acknowledging that he knows Onesimus stole from him to get to Rome?), charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it” (If one reads the original, we would see larger letters from ‘I, Paul . . . to repay it.’) Now his secretary continues writing. “to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.” I know you refresh the believers; I need some refreshment in the cold, dark, lonely prison.
Finally, Paul expresses confidence in Philemon (which backs him into corner. How can Philemon say no now??). Then the finally note is that Paul wants to visit Philemon. Implying if Philemon says no, Paul would like to appeal to Philemon face to face. Now we do not know what resulted between Onesimus and Philemon, but we do get insight into how God thinks forgiveness ought to work. We have reasons in this small book.
Father, we admit that some of us are not good “forgivers.” We just can’t get it through our thick skulls that we are the greatest debtors of course to You and to so many people who have helped us. We overlook the fact that our forgiveness can refresh others. We ought to forgive because not only others tell us to forgive, but godly leaders tell us as well. Forgiveness builds up relationships and helps everyone involved. Lord, the further I more I understand the gospel and what You have done for me, the more easily I will forgive. My lack of forgiveness shines a light on my cold, hard heart. Soften my heart with the power of what happened to us on the cross. If You can forgive me, I certainly should be able to forgive others. In the Name of the One who made my forgiveness possible: the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.