Daily Bread 2011 - Philemon
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I 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. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no 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. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
What Does This Mean?
Paul met Onesimus in Colossae, and wrote this short letter probably at the same time he wrote the letter to the Colossians. He wrote it to Philemon, who was one of the leaders of a house church. Apparently Onesimus, one his slaves had stolen from him, and then had run away. Paul met Onesimus and he became a believer, and now was willing to return to his master to serve him in a new way as a fellow brother in Christ. Since his crime was punishable under Roman law, Paul urges Philemon to have mercy on Onesimus, just as in Christ God has had mercy on him.
The letter follows the structure prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers and built rapport through the relationship, building the case through the mind, and finally moving for a decision based on emotion and good will. Importantly because of what Christ had done, it had the power to transform the social constructs of the time, in this case the relationship between a slave and an owner.
What Does This Mean For Us Today?
Paul goes back and forth on a word-play with the word “prisoner”. Though he and Onesimus were both prisoners, one held justly and the other unjustly; they have both been freed figuratively by faith in Jesus Christ. And though Onesimus was Philemon’s slave, they are both slaves to Jesus Christ, meaning they have given up their rights and have a new master.
Though we don’t have these same social arrangements today, we still have hierarchies in the corporate setting, in our government and even in the church. But the idea is as a disciple of Christ in whatever position we are given we are to use it to serve others. As Christian brothers and sisters we have one Father, and we have a mutual brother in Jesus Christ. As such we are brothers and sisters and are called to support, encourage and love each other accordingly regardless of our position in life or in the family.
Heavenly Father, you are the true authority in our lives and we are bond-servants of Your Son Jesus who has called us into a relationship with You. Just as Jesus gave us his rights to serve other help us to empty ourselves of pride and serve each other with a willing and humble heart in the power of Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I 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. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no 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. 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
What Does This Mean?
Paul met Onesimus in Colossae, and wrote this short letter probably at the same time he wrote the letter to the Colossians. He wrote it to Philemon, who was one of the leaders of a house church. Apparently Onesimus, one his slaves had stolen from him, and then had run away. Paul met Onesimus and he became a believer, and now was willing to return to his master to serve him in a new way as a fellow brother in Christ. Since his crime was punishable under Roman law, Paul urges Philemon to have mercy on Onesimus, just as in Christ God has had mercy on him.
The letter follows the structure prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers and built rapport through the relationship, building the case through the mind, and finally moving for a decision based on emotion and good will. Importantly because of what Christ had done, it had the power to transform the social constructs of the time, in this case the relationship between a slave and an owner.
What Does This Mean For Us Today?
Paul goes back and forth on a word-play with the word “prisoner”. Though he and Onesimus were both prisoners, one held justly and the other unjustly; they have both been freed figuratively by faith in Jesus Christ. And though Onesimus was Philemon’s slave, they are both slaves to Jesus Christ, meaning they have given up their rights and have a new master.
Though we don’t have these same social arrangements today, we still have hierarchies in the corporate setting, in our government and even in the church. But the idea is as a disciple of Christ in whatever position we are given we are to use it to serve others. As Christian brothers and sisters we have one Father, and we have a mutual brother in Jesus Christ. As such we are brothers and sisters and are called to support, encourage and love each other accordingly regardless of our position in life or in the family.
Heavenly Father, you are the true authority in our lives and we are bond-servants of Your Son Jesus who has called us into a relationship with You. Just as Jesus gave us his rights to serve other help us to empty ourselves of pride and serve each other with a willing and humble heart in the power of Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
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