Just A Short Note - Paul To Philemon

by Reid, A. | Category: General | Dec 1994

When considering the books in the New Testament and the lofty themes traced out in them, perhaps the book of Philemon would not strike us as conveying profound doctrine. When comparing the letter to Philemon with the other letters of Paul, there seem to be no major theological points made, no closely reasoned argument set forth, no revealing of the depths of the mysteries of the gospel, but rather a revealing of the casing nature of the great apostle.

The personal concern of the apostle

for individuals is most certainly shown in his short note to Philemon. Contained in his words of entreaty on behalf of Onesimus is an unfolding of one of the most profoundly practical aspects of Christianity. Paul is appealing to a slave owner, Philemon, to receive back his runaway slave Onesimus. The basis of the apostle's appeal is that the relationship between them has changed. Between his departure from his master, and Philemon receiving Paul's letter, Onesimus had been saved through the witnessing of the apostle (v.10). They were now brothers in the Lord (v.16). Paul is therefore asking Philemon to recognize this change in their relationship, and to act upon it. Philemon was a man who knew how to give practical expression to his faith in love towards his fellow believers in Christ (vv.5-7). Paul therefore was confident that Philemon would respond in the same way to Onesimus.

What changes in attitude were required of Philemon towards the runaway slave? From the tone of the apostle's words, forgiveness was uppermost. Forgiveness implies that there was something to forgive; what Paul meant by "formerly he was useless to you" (v.11), we can only guess at, but some offence or other would have to be forgiven. Paul urges Philemon to receive Onesimus back for his (Paul's) sake, and to put to his account anything owed by Onesimus (v.18). In other words, Paul would stand surety for any debt. The apostle was proposing that Philemon was a greater debtor to Paul (v.19), although he did not wish to use this as a means of persuading Philemon to accept Onesimus back.

If we find it hard to forgive a brother or sister some wrong that they have done to us, then perhaps we would do well to consider that Christ stood surety before God that we might be forgiven, placing us under a great debt to Him.

Forgiveness, and being forgiven, is a two-sided coin. This brings us to the change of attitude that Onesimus must adopt towards Philemon: one of repentance. Whatever his offence was, Onesimus would not be worthy of forgiveness unless he was truly sorry for what he had done. In answer to the question, "How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?" The Lord's answer was, in essence, "as many times as he truly repents" (see Mat. 18:21,22 and Luke 17:3,4). So repentance and forgiveness go hand in hand.

What a wonderful impression is left for us by this letter: of a master and his slave now bondservants together of Christ. Thus, the main lesson for us in this short note is that when people are linked together in the Lord, their attitude towards each other should be governed by that bond. So let us look at our own behaviour towards each other, and see if it matches up to the New Testament pattern of affection and love for others, preferring and honouring others above ourselves, and forgiving each other from the heart.

Bible quotations from NIV

Reid, A. | Dec 1994
General