Thoughts On The Epistle To Philemon

Feature 2 – November 2019 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Thoughts On The Epistle To Philemon

This letter was written by a prisoner. Twice the author referred to himself as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Phile. 1,9 KJV ). He was in bonds for his faith and the love he had for the Lord Jesus.

When he was in prison he met a man by the name of Onesimus, who was a runaway slave. He had no doubt cheated his master and fled to Rome. While in Rome he came in contact with an aged prisoner, Paul, who led him to the Lord Jesus.

Onesimus must have been surprised to hear that Paul knew his master well and thought very highly of him, along with his household. He was Paul’s fellow laborer and fellow soldier. As Christians, we also are fellow laborers: “we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor. 3:9 NKJV). Let us be, “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that [our] labor is not in vain in the Lord” (15:58).

Go labor on; spend, and be spent Thy joy to do the Father’s will; It is the way the Master went; Should not the servant tread it still?— Horatius Bonar (1808–1889)

As Christians, we are fellow soldiers who are to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). Each of us “must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3-4). Also, God has provided armor for us: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).

Soldiers of Christ arise, and put your armor on, Strong in the strength which God supplies through His eternal Son; Strong in the Lord of Hosts, and in His mighty power; Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.— Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

The name of Onesimus’s master was Philemon, which means “one who kisses.” His name suggests that he was affectionate, friendly and loving. These are moral qualities which shone brightly in the life of the Lord Jesus and should be seen in all those who belong to Him. Paul wrote of the love Philemon had for all saints (Phile. 5) and said, “We have great joy and consolation in your love” (v.7).

Paul sent Onesimus back to his master with the request that he be received as his “own heart” (v.12). Onesimus left as a bondservant of Philemon; he was returning as a brother of Philemon, “a beloved brother” (v.16). He left in debt; he was returning with his debt placed on Paul’s account (v.18). He left in fear; he was returning in peace. Knowing the love Philemon had for the Lord Jesus and His people, Onesimus could have the same confidence that Paul had, that all would be well on his return. Paul knew Philemon would “do even more” than the apostle requested (v.21).

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:18-19). The love Philemon had toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints allowed him to embrace Onesimus and welcome him to the church in his home.

Onesimus means “profitable.” Paul calls him, “a faithful and beloved brother” (Col. 4:9). May we all seek to be profitable and faithful as servants of the Lord Jesus.

By Paul Palmer, Sr,

This story of Onesimus, in one sense, is ours. Like rebellious slaves we have been found on our pathway of self-will and been brought back to our Master, no longer to be under slavery but as those whom He calls His beloved brothers (see Phile. 16; Jn. 15:15). Paul is here a picture of the Lord, paying our debt and interceding for us (Phile. 17-19). May this epistle teach us to bring practical Christianity into our daily lives: forgetfulness of ourselves, tactfulness, humility, grace. In a word, all the many evidences of love. —Jean Koechlin, Day By Day.