The Epistle from
Paul the Apostle to the Church Elder Philemon revolves around Philemon’s reconciliation
with his runaway slave Onesimus. These are the three main characters of this
Early Church drama: Paul, Philemon, Onesimus.
Philemon was
a rich and well-known citizen of Colossae. According to the text of the epistle
itself Philemon was converted by Paul (v 19), probably in Colossae or Ephesus
during Paul’s extended time of ministry in that region (Acts 18:23-20:38). Philemon
would become a model of love and faithfulness toward the Lord Jesus and toward
all the saints (v 5). Philemon’s house hosted one of the Colossian churches. It
was a place where the hearts of the saints were refreshed (v 7). Philemon’s two
closest helpers in life and ministry were Apphia (believed to be Philemon’s wife),
and Archippus (most likely their son). Paul’s epistle is primarily directed to
Philemon, but is, secondarily written to Philemon’s family and “the church in
(his) house” (v 2).
Philemon as
a Roman citizen owned slaves, one of which was Onesimus. The text does not reveal
why, but Onesimus determined to run away. And he evidently stole what he needed
to aid himself on his journey (v 17-18). Apparently Onesimus ran away so that
he could seek out the Apostle Paul (who at that time was imprisoned, most
likely in Ephesus). Once connected, Onesimus was converted by Paul. Paul
describes Onesimus’s conversion, saying, “…my son Onesimus, whom I have
begotten while in my chains (in prison)” (v 10). Onesimus grows into such a
useful helper for Paul in the ministry of the Gospel (v 13b), that he wants to
keep Onesimus for himself rather than send him back to Philemon. But Paul knows
that the situation between Philemon and Onesimus (as well as Philemon’s family and
the church in his house) must be resolved. There must be a reconciliation of
master and slave so that all can move forward for the sake of the Gospel.
After Paul’s
opening greeting, he breaks into a prayer (v 4-7), praising Philemon for his
love and faithfulness to Jesus and to all the saints, and praying that the
communion/sharing/fellowship (koinonia) of their faith would be energized by
the knowledge that comes upon them from above (epignosei) of every good thing they
experience through their union with Christ Jesus (v 6 MT).
The point of
Paul’s prayer is that all faithful followers of Jesus are equal partners, they
are in communion, they share all the good things that are in Christ. This
prayer is the basis of Paul’s request on behalf of Onesimus. That all who are
in Christ share equally in the communion of all the good things that are in
Christ. Paul is preparing Philemon to show this same kind of communion with
Onesimus that Philemon shares with Paul (v 17).
Paul then
launches into his detailed and artful request of Philemon on behalf of Onesimus
(v 8-20). Rather than exercising apostolic authority to command Philemon (v 8),
Paul appeals to the love possessed by Philemon (v 9a). Paul paints a picture of
himself; aged and imprisoned (v 9b), knowing the love in Philemon’s heart, for
Jesus and all the saints, will guide him (v 5).
Paul finally reveals to Philemon the purpose
for his epistle – Onesimus! (v10). And Paul is expecting Philemon to love
Onesimus with the same love he has for the aged apostle in prison, even though
he is a thieving runaway slave. But Onesimus is no longer just a thieving
runaway slave, he is now a brother in Christ and a fellow worker in the Gospel.
Paul crafts his
letter to Philemon in such a way as to allow Philemon to think Christianly for
himself, to make the right choices of his own volition. What Pastoral good
would it do for Paul to command Philemon, when Paul knew that the love of
Christ in Philemon’s heart would guide him to do what was right (v 14).
Paul sees
the providence of God in the estrangement of master and slave, for it was
Onesimus’s running away that led to his encounter with Paul and his subsequent
conversion (v 15). Onesimus’s temporary escape as a slave, results in Philemon
receiving back a brother in Christ, and even more, a fellow worker in the
Gospel (v 16). Paul ends his request of Philemon appealing to their
partnership, their fellowship, their communion in Christ, “receive Onesimus as
you would receive me” (v17). Paul, as it were, puts one arm around Philemon,
and the other around Onesimus, saying to Philemon, “If he has wronged you, or
owes you anything, put that on my account” (v 18). Paul assures Philemon he
will repay Onesimus’s debt, but then reminds him, “don’t forget Philemon, you
owe me your very life in Christ” (v 18-19).
Paul wraps
up his request praising Philemon’s obedience in advance (v21a). Knowing of a
certainty that Philemon’s relationship with Jesus will inform his actions as
they relate to Onesimus. Paul knew that Philemon would do much more than he had
requested (v21b). (Paul may have been hinting for Philemon to grant freedom to
his slave Onesimus so that he could fulfil his ministry in the Gospel.)
According to tradition, Philemon freed Onesimus and sent him back to Paul.
Afterward, Onesimus became bishop of Berea in Macedonia and was martyred in
Rome during the reign of Trajan.
This epistle
to Philemon along with Paul’s epistle to the Colossians was hand delivered by Tychicus
and Onesimus (Colossians 4:7-9). Imagine Philemon reading the epistle from Paul
with Onesimus standing in front of him! They both must have smiled as they
listened to the sage wisdom of their spiritual father, Paul.