Philemon
Paul's Plea for Onesimus
8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
Observation:
This is Paul’s shortest letter in the New Testament, only one chapter. It is a personal plea to the slave owner Philemon, who apparently had a large estate that housed several slaves. Apparently Onesimus, whose name means “useful” (see v.11), had run away from Philemon, his owner and apparently defrauded him as well.
As he met Paul, probably when Paul was in prison in Rome, he became a believer and now Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon to make restitution. He urges Philemon to take him back as now as one who is a “brother in the Lord and a slave of Jesus Christ”.
We see Paul’s heart to take him in, and even be willing to foot any bill Philemon would incur for taking him back. Paul shows again his willingness to make sacrifice for the least of these. A slave of Christ himself, Paul helps put Onesimus’ own slavery in true perspective. He encourages Philemon to take him back not because he feels obligated, but in gratitude to the gift Paul has given him of true freedom from the slavery of sin.
Application:
What are you a slave of? The bible says at one time we were all in slavery to our foolish desires that were leading us to spiritual and physical death. Although the institution of slavery has been abolished a couple of centuries ago, there are many things we are in bondage to in the 21st century. Among these are money, sex, alcohol, and yes even work!
As we have a heart like Paul to befriend those who are in slavery, we can help lead them to true freedom in Christ. As they are released from the bondage of the things of this world, they can return to their place of influence and be a testimony to the freeing power of the gospel.
What has a grip on you? What are those things you keep doing over and over despite the same negative consequences? Some call this insanity, yet the bible calls it basic human nature that Jesus came to set us free from. Paul found this freedom in Christ, and then spent his life releasing others from the slavery of sin.
Prayer: God help us to cling to truth that sets us free. When we feel the grip of materialism, the desires of the flesh and other worldly things, help us to turn from what we know is wrong and return to your saving and freeing grace. We know without your power and the Holy Spirit we are powerless. Without you we can do nothing. Thanks Jesus for setting us free to be the people we were meant to be and become. May we walk in that freedom more and more each day, Amen.
8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
Observation:
This is Paul’s shortest letter in the New Testament, only one chapter. It is a personal plea to the slave owner Philemon, who apparently had a large estate that housed several slaves. Apparently Onesimus, whose name means “useful” (see v.11), had run away from Philemon, his owner and apparently defrauded him as well.
As he met Paul, probably when Paul was in prison in Rome, he became a believer and now Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon to make restitution. He urges Philemon to take him back as now as one who is a “brother in the Lord and a slave of Jesus Christ”.
We see Paul’s heart to take him in, and even be willing to foot any bill Philemon would incur for taking him back. Paul shows again his willingness to make sacrifice for the least of these. A slave of Christ himself, Paul helps put Onesimus’ own slavery in true perspective. He encourages Philemon to take him back not because he feels obligated, but in gratitude to the gift Paul has given him of true freedom from the slavery of sin.
Application:
What are you a slave of? The bible says at one time we were all in slavery to our foolish desires that were leading us to spiritual and physical death. Although the institution of slavery has been abolished a couple of centuries ago, there are many things we are in bondage to in the 21st century. Among these are money, sex, alcohol, and yes even work!
As we have a heart like Paul to befriend those who are in slavery, we can help lead them to true freedom in Christ. As they are released from the bondage of the things of this world, they can return to their place of influence and be a testimony to the freeing power of the gospel.
What has a grip on you? What are those things you keep doing over and over despite the same negative consequences? Some call this insanity, yet the bible calls it basic human nature that Jesus came to set us free from. Paul found this freedom in Christ, and then spent his life releasing others from the slavery of sin.
Prayer: God help us to cling to truth that sets us free. When we feel the grip of materialism, the desires of the flesh and other worldly things, help us to turn from what we know is wrong and return to your saving and freeing grace. We know without your power and the Holy Spirit we are powerless. Without you we can do nothing. Thanks Jesus for setting us free to be the people we were meant to be and become. May we walk in that freedom more and more each day, Amen.
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