Paul’s Letter To Philemon

Feature 1 – November 2019 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Paul’s Letter To Philemon

This shortest of Paul’s epistles is a personal letter showing the apostle’s heart. Beyond this, we see the heart of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. There are, in addition, some practical personal lessons we all would do well to learn.

Philemon appears to have been a well-to-do gentleman who lived not far from Colosse. He had become saved sometime earlier through contact with the apostle Paul, who was now writing from his imprisonment in Rome. The purpose of Paul’s letter was to send back Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus to him, not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ. When he ran away to Rome, Onesimus had apparently stolen some money from Philemon. This matter was dealt with in the letter, and Paul shared his hope to enjoy Philemon’s hospitality before long. The letter is a masterpiece of gracious, tactful writing.

As was customary at that time, Paul began the letter with his name. He referred to himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus rather than as an apostle or even as a prisoner of the Roman government. Paul associated Timothy with him in writing, for this was more than purely personal. He addressed Philemon with genuine affection as a beloved friend and fellow laborer. Since he was writing about one who had belonged to this family, he included in his salutation Apphia, probably Philemon’s wife, and Archippus, presumably the son and heir.

It is interesting to note that Paul also included the assembly that met in the home of Philemon’s family. This assembly was about to receive an additional brother. None of us lives or dies to himself. Rather, as Paul taught elsewhere (Rom. 14:7-9), we live and die to the Lord. We are fellow members of His body, functioning under His authority and by His grace. Although the assembly simply met as guests in this family’s home, and Onesimus was legally a part of Philemon’s property, the assembly definitely had an interest in the matter and was entitled to know how Philemon and his family would act in this new situation.

The apostle first of all wished God’s grace and peace to all who were involved in this delicate matter. He went on to mention that he prayed for Philemon, thankful for his love toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints. The hearts of saints were often refreshed by Philemon’s love. Would this love prove great enough to reach out to this runaway slave and thief who, Paul wrote, had become a saint through faith in Christ, who was standing before him and had just handed him this letter? Picture this scene in your mind – Onesimus standing at the door, waiting while Philemon, also standing there, read this letter!

Paul’s letter graciously came to its point as Philemon read on. “Though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 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 – I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains” (Phile. 8-10 NKJV).

What had happened? Obviously, after leaving Philemon’s home, Onesimus, like young people still do today, had headed to the big city. In far-away Rome, capital of the empire, he would be able to lose himself among its million or more inhabitants and find some way to meet his daily needs. But God had His eye on this young runaway. In His great grace God had far better plans for him. There in Rome – how it happened we are not told – he met Paul, who was chained to soldiers in his own rented house. Perhaps in glory we will learn the story of how Onesimus also met Jesus and learned to know Him as his Lord.

Philemon read on, “My son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (vv.10-11). This was a play on words, for Onesimus means “profitable.” Unprofitable had become Profitable, not only in words but in his deeds and very existence. His life had been turned around completely. He now was serving a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and had been helping this Master’s dear aged servant Paul, who was mentoring him wherever he could.

Paul would gladly have kept Onesimus with him. He was proving useful and, doubtless, was learning much from the apostle; but he was another’s man’s property according to the law of the land at that time. Christians are enjoined, or told, to obey the laws of the land (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:11-17) unless, of course, they are in direct conflict with the commands of God (Acts 5:29).

Therefore Paul sent him back to Philemon with this letter, which God has seen fit to incorporate into the Bible, His Holy Word. Paul could perhaps have written a letter to Philemon telling him the good news of his slave’s salvation and requesting his use while imprisoned in Rome. Whether grudgingly or gladly, Philemon would doubtlessly have assented, or agreed, to such a request. However, Paul wanted to put Philemon under no such pressure. Any good deed on Philemon’s part should be voluntary. God looks for our service today to be voluntary as well.

Paul went on to suggest something else: “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 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” (Phile. 15-16). It would be easy to jump to such a conclusion, and in all likelihood the conclusion is correct, but who are we to pass judgment on the wonderful ways of God? The word “perhaps” is sufficient to make the suggestion, but it also quietly suggested what the appropriate course of action would be for Philemon to follow.

What a difference salvation now made in the relationship of Onesimus to Philemon! Yes, he still belonged to his master, but now this slave who had run away was to be welcomed back as a beloved brother in Christ. He was already that to Paul, and Paul felt he would be even more so to Philemon, who knew him so much better. There was now both a natural and a spiritual relationship – in the flesh and in the Lord.

Paul added more, something very special. He requested that if Philemon counted him, Paul, as a partner he should receive Onesimus just as he would receive him. We can be sure from verse 19 that it was already an honor for Paul to suggest that Philemon be his partner; Philemon would hardly have thought to call Paul his partner! But if he would so think, he should accord this place to his runaway slave who had evidently stolen from him – who was now his brother. Writing to Timothy, Paul blamed himself even more, calling himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Just as our Lord Jesus restored that which He did not take away (Ps. 69:4), Paul here offered to repay whatever Onesimus may have wrongfully taken from Philemon. How beautifully we see Paul walking in the footsteps of his Master! The gentle reminder that Philemon owed far more to Paul who had led him to the Lord is a beautiful example of what the Lord taught in the parable in Matthew 18:23-35.

Paul had commended Philemon for refreshing the hearts of the saints (Phile. 7). Now he lovingly requested similar joy and refreshment for himself. We too can refresh the heart of our Lord by keeping His commands and words (Jn. 14:21,23).

Although Paul had explicitly stated that he would appeal rather than command, he now expressed his confidence in Philemon’s obedience. In fact, he was confident that Philemon would do even more than he, Paul, was asking of him. What more could he do? One possible suggestion might be that he would grant Onesimus full liberty. While Scripture nowhere commands Christians to abolish slavery, which was once a common thing in almost every land, it was abolished first by Christians in Christian lands. With very few exceptions, it is now abolished in almost every nation throughout the world. The Old Testament speaks of Israelites setting their slaves free, and also of slaves loving their masters so much that they would refuse to accept freedom (Ex. 21:1-11; Dt. 15:12-18). We Christians have been set free from the dominance of sin and given liberty by our Lord Jesus. Let us willingly serve Him from the heart!

As Paul came to the close of this letter to Philemon, he spoke of his hope to visit, asking him to prepare a guest room for him. He was not coming on a tour of inspection, but for mutual joy and fellowship. He counted on results from the prayers of those meeting together in Philemon’s home. Paul also sent greetings from Epaphras, a brother from Colosse well known for his prayers for those in his hometown and the neighboring assemblies, and now Paul’s fellow prisoner. He sent the greetings of four other fellow laborers as well.

Paul closed this letter with more than his usual closing desire found at the end of his epistles. He wrote, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (Phile. 25). Paul counted on Philemon’s obedience to the requests the Holy Spirit had inspired him to make in this short letter. He also believed the grace of the Lord Jesus would be with Philemon and all those who met in his home, specifically mentioning their spirit. The attitude or spirit in which these instructions would be carried out was of vital importance, as is the attitude in which we act on what God tells us in His Holy Word. May we be equally in the good of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in all our activity!

By Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

Philemon is a fine picture of the way in which the tenderness and strength of the love of God, working in the heart, occupies itself with every detail wherein love might be wounded, or where there might be an occasion for its growth and manifestation. In this point of view, the epistle is as important as beautiful. This development of tender and delicate consideration in the midst of the apostle’s gigantic labors, and of the immense truths that formed the basis of relationship between all creatures and God in Christ, gives a very unique character to Christianity and shows its divine nature. God reveals His vast thoughts, and they flow with clearness and connectedness when He communicates them by His chosen instruments. The latter are free to love, for the God who employs and inspires them is love. It is a more essential part of their task to present Him thus than even to speak of the deep things. Accordingly, when they are moved by that love, the character of Him who sends them is demonstrated – that of the God which is the source of love – by a perfect consideration for others and the most delicate attention to those things which hearts feel. Moreover, this love develops itself in relationships formed by the Holy Spirit Himself, between the members of the body of Christ. Springing from a divine source and always fed by it, Christian affections assume that form of human regard, which, by exhibiting love and the opposite of selfishness, bear the stamp of their origin. Love, free from selfishness, can and does think of all that concerns others and understands what will affect them. —John N. Darby, Synopsis Of The Books Of The Bible (edited).