Daily Bread 2010 - 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. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colossae, who was a slave owner. One of his slaves, Onesimus (whose name means “useful”) was stolen from him and became a Christian under Paul’s ministry. Now he is willing to return to his master as a slave, and Paul wants to make sure Philemon will take him back in good graces.
There is a word-play in verse 11 with his name, which means “useful”. Paul is communicating to Philemon that now that Onesimus is a believer, he is worth taking back in. He will serve him not only as master, but know he knows His True Master, Jesus Christ. Again it is important to note that slavery in the 1st century is different than the kind we know of today which debased people and took away their dignity. While ultimately it was done away with, at the time it was a place of employment and part of the fabric of the society.
Paul sees this as a place for Onesimus to integrate back into society. Since Philemon is a believer himself, he expects him to handle this project with extra grace. Paul even goes as far as saying he will pay for the expenses if they become too much for Philemon. Paul shows his true heart, that though he himself was in chains, he cared so much for this new, young disciple in this way.
Who are those you can reach out to that need your influence to help pave the way for them to get a new start in society? Often people who are at the end of rope are open to a relationship with Christ, because they have tried everything else and failed. Taking a risk on someone, who maybe previously had not been trustworthy, is one of the ways we can be of service to someone trying to get back on their feet. Keep your eyes out for the Onesimuses of the world that you might help in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus, thank you for setting us free so that we might serve others. Help us to see those who need our influence so they can find a place in society to serve you with their new found freedom. As we have been given the free gift of grace help us to extend that to others in Your name, 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. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, a believer in Colossae, who was a slave owner. One of his slaves, Onesimus (whose name means “useful”) was stolen from him and became a Christian under Paul’s ministry. Now he is willing to return to his master as a slave, and Paul wants to make sure Philemon will take him back in good graces.
There is a word-play in verse 11 with his name, which means “useful”. Paul is communicating to Philemon that now that Onesimus is a believer, he is worth taking back in. He will serve him not only as master, but know he knows His True Master, Jesus Christ. Again it is important to note that slavery in the 1st century is different than the kind we know of today which debased people and took away their dignity. While ultimately it was done away with, at the time it was a place of employment and part of the fabric of the society.
Paul sees this as a place for Onesimus to integrate back into society. Since Philemon is a believer himself, he expects him to handle this project with extra grace. Paul even goes as far as saying he will pay for the expenses if they become too much for Philemon. Paul shows his true heart, that though he himself was in chains, he cared so much for this new, young disciple in this way.
Who are those you can reach out to that need your influence to help pave the way for them to get a new start in society? Often people who are at the end of rope are open to a relationship with Christ, because they have tried everything else and failed. Taking a risk on someone, who maybe previously had not been trustworthy, is one of the ways we can be of service to someone trying to get back on their feet. Keep your eyes out for the Onesimuses of the world that you might help in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus, thank you for setting us free so that we might serve others. Help us to see those who need our influence so they can find a place in society to serve you with their new found freedom. As we have been given the free gift of grace help us to extend that to others in Your name, Amen
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