For the first half of January 2024 I have been reading Titus and Philemon twice daily for the 8 chapters per day. I am writing this post to summarize the key themes that I captured while reading through Philemon.
Context. The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philemon during his second Roman imprisonment as a letter to Philemon in Colossae. Timothy is also named as an author of the letter. Paul describes Philemon as a beloved brother and fellow worker who was also a slave owner of at least one slave Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon, arrived in Rome, and was ministering to Paul in his imprisonment at Rome.
People. Philemon is a unique book. It primarily describes one specific situation involving several believers and is a request from Paul for one believer to accept another believer as a beloved brother and no longer a slave. In this letter Paul describes the character of Philemon and Onesimus as well as several other Colossians. It is instructive for us to look more deeply into how Paul described these believers.
Paul describes Philemon as a beloved brother and fellow worker. Philemon demonstrated love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints. Philemon has refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon apparently was also known for hospitality since Paul was bold enough to ask him to prepare lodging for Paul’s planned visit to Colossians. The early church was suffering much persecution, seen no less in Paul’s and Epaphras’ imprisonment. One can reasonably guess that the saints were experiencing discouragement. Philemon’s role to refresh fellow saints must have been especially needed.
Paul describes Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, as his child in the faith, his very heart, who was useful and ministering to Paul while Paul was in chains. He describes Onesimus as a beloved brother both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Paul also describes a few others in Colossae: Apphia our sister, Archippus our fellow soldier, and Epaphras his fellow prisoner in Christ.
Paul’s Request. Paul sends the runaway slave Onesimus back to Philemon, and he requests Philemon to receive him no longer as a slave but a beloved brother. Some commentators say that Paul did not attempt to abolish slavery or even end Philemon’s slavery. However, a careful read of Philemon considering both Paul’s explicit words and Paul’s gentle pleadings indicates that Paul was mostly likely requesting Philemon to release Onesimus from servitude.
- Paul’s explicit request to receive Onesimus no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a brother. Paul later explicitly asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as he might accept Paul, certainly not in a harsh manner and possibly not as a slave at all.
- Paul says that he intended to keep Onesimus. He had been useful to Paul and endeared himself to Paul. However he did not want to keep Onesimus without Philemon’s consent. Paul was asking Philemon to release Onesimus back to serve Paul in his chains.
- Paul did not want to command Onesimus’ release but wanted Philemon to act voluntarily. Paul was clearly asking for Philemon to act beyond just accepting Philemon back.
- Paul offers to repay anything that Onesimus owes Philemon.
- Finally, Paul says that he expects Philemon to do even more than Paul requests. This is more implicit but clearly it is more than just accepting Philemon back as a brother in Christ since Paul says he is gently asking for more than what he has asked.
Application. Paul says that he has boldness in Christ to command Philemon to do what is proper, and he says that Philemon owes Paul even his very self. However, Paul is careful to prioritize brotherly love so that Philemon’s goodness would not be under compulsion but voluntary. Paul also said that he wished to keep Onesimus but demonstrates his integrity that he did not want to do anything without Philemon’s consent.