Read Philemon
This letter from the Apostle Paul is truly an excuse note.
Onesimus was a Colossian slave. Evidently, he decided he did not like where
he was and what he was doing. But he had
no money to escape. He then stole from
his master and ran to Rome. However,
even in the big city he could not avoid being caught. Roman law supported the slave owners to the
limit. At best, he would be sent back
home, severely punished, and serve as a slave again. At worst, he would be executed as an example
to others.
But something happened when he was arrested and put in
prison. In the sovereignty of God,
Onesimus came in contact with one of his master’s closest friends. Paul introduced this runaway slave to
Jesus. In Colossians 4:9, Paul referred
to Onesimus as “our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.”
Receiving Christ changed the slave’s eternity, but it did
not change the problems he faced. Paul faced
a problem as well. Onesimus needed to own
up to his rebellion and thievery. Also,
it appears that Paul had led Philemon to Jesus.
These were now two Christian brothers and personal friends. How can Pual somehow reconcile a runaway
slave and a slave owner so they both behave in a way that pleases God?
Paul took some practical steps of writing this powerful and
personal note of appeal. Next, he sent
Tychicus to personally escort Onesimus home.
This would, perhaps, insure not only a safe arrival but a confirmation
of all that Paul wanted done.
The appeal in this letter is based upon that fact that since
believers have received the mercy of God through Christ, we should pass that
mercy on to others who have wronged us.
Mercy is not receiving what we deserve.
Justice would have demanded a different approach. “Yet for love’ sake I prefer to appeal to you…”(9a). Maclaren wrote, “Love is the weapon of a strong man who can cast aside the trappings
of superiority, and is never loftier than when he descends, no more absolute
when he (yields) authority, and appeals with love to love.”
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