A Recommendation for forgiveness
Paul who was in prison in Rome at this time, had Timothy and a run away slave
named Onesimus, with him. The letter is addressed primarily to Philemon, but also
mentioned are Apphia, Philemon's Christian wife, and Archippus, believed to have
been their son. Some students of the early history of the church believe that
Archippus was actually the owner of Onesimus and that Philemon was the minister
there. Others believe as we do that Archippus was the minister of the church at
Colossae and that sense the church met at the home of Philemon, he stayed there.
You may choose for yourself as you search for the "truth".
Notice Paul calls Philemon his "beloved fellow worker" and Archippus, "his fellow
soldier". In times passed, Paul had used both of these terms to describe fellow
ministers.
Paul ends this preface by wishing for the church at Colossae the best of God's
blessings, Grace and Peace. Grace sufficient for their sins and Peace beyond
understanding, provided by faith. Thus Paul begins his letter to Philemon.
Paul immediately starts his plea for Onesimus by phrasing Philemon for what he had
heard about the church at Colosse and giving God all the credit. Paul heard, from
time to time, from many sources, of the good that was being accomplished in the
various churches that he had been instrumental in starting. He was always
thrilled, encouraged and not without some pride yet he always gave God the glory
and thanks.
Notice what Paul had heard about Philemon and was thanking God for. Onesimus had
told Paul of the love that Philemon had for the Lord and it would seem that Paul
had heard, from another source, of Philemon's faith in Christ. Love and faith are
prime Christian Graces. They are the "trademark" and the "prime witness" of the
Christian. Paul said of the Roman Christians in Rom. 1:8, "I thank God because
your faith is published (talked about) throughout the world." Spread, as it was,
by word of mouth.
Also, Paul gives thanks because Onesimus had told him of Philemon's love for all
the saints (believers). The two, love of Christ and love of the brethren, must go
together. Paul says, "He who loves Him who begets, must and will love them who
are begotten."
In the first part of this letter, Paul is using a little psychology in talking
about all the good things that he had heard about Philemon and who (Onesimus) had
been his source of information. Onesimus, a run away slave belonging to Philemon,
one who might very well have disliked Philemon, but one who, because of the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit, spoke only good about his master.
Philemon's expressions and demonstrations of his love and faith had done much to
heal and sustain the Saints around Colosse. Paul expresses it this way, "The
bowels of the Saints are refreshed by you." He was referring to the inner feelings
and needs that we all have that need to be sustained by love and an occasional word
from a caring person. Such a person was Philemon. Having thus told Philemon of
the presence of Onesimus with him and the good report that he had given him, he
begins his appeal.
The Petition of Paul for Onesimus
["Click here for Philemon 1:8-20"]
After reading this, I'm sure that you must have asked yourself as I did myself,
"Have you ever read a more loving appeal from a man to whom humility did not come
easy?" In these verses, Paul gets down to the purpose of the letter, a plea to
Philemon on the behalf of Onesimus, that he might be forgiven and received back
into his household. Notice, Paul does not ask that Onesimus be given his freedom,
only that he be welcomed back, forgiven and allowed to live, for run away slaves,
in those days, were killed when they were apprehended.
Paul gives no less than 14 arguments why Philemon should do this. Lets look
briefly at each of these.
- "Because you have shown so much love and compassion for the
people of Colossae, let me now see that same love and
compassion shown toward Onesimus." Paul was asking Philemon
to forgive and receive Onesimus for he was now one of the
"brethren in Christ", indeed he was now one of those Saints
that Philemon loved. Matthew Henry comments on this first
argument, "Observe a disposition to do good, together with
past instances and expressions of it, is a good handle to
take hold of for pressing for more." The lesson is still here
for us, do not be weary of doing good, as you are able and as
new occasions present themselves. We do get tired sometimes,
don't we?
- "Because of the Apostles power given to them by Christ over
the ministers." "I am bold enough, in Christ, to command
you to do this."
- "Because I could command you to do this but for loves sake,
I prefer to appeal to you." In John 20:23, Christ said to his
Disciples, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven."
"If you retain the sins of any, they are retained." From this,
the Apostles assumed power over the church. Therefore, Paul
felt that he had the power to command Philemon to forgive
Onesimus but for loves sake, he preferred to appeal to him.
- "Because I, Paul, have a certain position in the church."
"I appeal to you... an old man, an Ambassador for Christ,
a prisoner for Christ, I appeal to you to hear what I have
to say." Age, in those days, demanded respect. Matthew
Henry says that Paul was saying to Philemon, "If you would
feel like doing something for an old prisoner, to comfort me
in my bonds and make my chains lighter, grant me this wish."
- "Because Onesimus has become like a child to me and I like a
father to him." Even though, in a legal sense, he was still
Philemon's slave, in a spiritual sense, he had become like
a son to Paul and Paul believed that this was of God. He
believed and he wanted Philemon to believe that God had led
Onesimus to him and that God had used Paul to lead him to
Christ. Matthew Henry says, "God will honor and comfort
His suffering servants, improving their own graces and making
them a means of spiritual good for others.
- "Because he, Onesimus, has changed." "Formerly he was useless
to you, but now he is indeed useful to me and to you." It
would appear that Onesimus never was a very good servant,
may even have been a troublemaker. Perhaps Philemon was
glad to get rid of him. But now, Paul says, sense he had
become a Christian, he has changed. He now is very useful,
is dedicated to his work, weather for the Lord or for others.
The slaves name literally prophesied his ultimate state. The
name Onesimus means, "useful" or "beneficial". He had
certainly become this to Paul.
We must stop here see what Paul is not doing. He is not making light of the sins
of Onesimus. He had wronged his master. He had lived a life that was not his. He
had taken what ever he could to meet his needs. He had run away from the one who
had owned him. Paul was not upholding him in these sins. But Onesimus had asked
and received God's forgiveness and Paul could do no less and Paul felt that
Philemon could also do no less.
- "Because Paul, in sending Onesimus back, was sending his very own
heart." Paul was saying, "I love him as I live myself." This
was not easy for Paul, nor did it come natural. Age had mellowed
Paul and Grace had allowed him to lay his heart on the line, making
himself vulnerable to being hurt. Why? Because Philemon was a
Phrygian. Colossae was in Phrygia and the Phrygians were known
for their rough nature and difficult tempers. Only the Grace
of God could make them "slow to anger" ready to forgive and
abundant in pardon.
- This argument takes the form of a personal decision that Paul
had to make concerning Onesimus. "I would have been glad to
keep him with me, in order that he might serve me, on your
behalf, during my imprisonment for the Gospel, but I preferred
to do nothing without your consent." Paul considered the
service that Onesimus was doing for him, to be done on the
behalf of his owner. It is difficult for us to relate to
slavery, but if I had a saw and you found it and used it
without telling me that you had found it, every time you used
it, you would think of me and perhaps, under your breath, thank
me for it. Would that justify your keeping my saw without my
knowledge? No. No, you would need to do as Paul did and tell
me that you had found my saw, was using it and it was better
than it was when you found it because you had "sharpened" it.
Then if I allowed you to continue to use it, it would be my
decision and you would be free of any guilt that you might have,
and I would have the joy of lending you a saw that served you
well. Paul knew that any form of deception, destroyed the joy
of life.
- This argument attempts to justify Onesimus' running away.
"Perhaps there was some divine reason for Onesimus running away."
"Perhaps his meeting up with me and his subsequent salvation,
was why he parted from you for a while." Paul is suggesting
that this might have been the way God choose to save Onesimus.
This has improved the personality of Onesimus, before, Philemon
only had a disgruntled and disobedient slave, now, by the Grace
of God, he has a fellow believer in Christ, who will love, serve
and be obedient forever. Which would you rather have? Can we
see here another "prodigal son"? Matthew Henry cautions us here,
we must not condone sin as a means for salvation and a way to
achieve forgiveness.
- This argument stresses the change that has come about in Onesimus
sense his conversion. He suggests that he is no longer just a
slave, but rather a fellow believer and a brother in Christ.
He is now one who would now seek to work for those things that
would bless the family of Philemon as well as sustain the church
that was in his (Philemon's) house. There is a spiritual
brotherhood between all believers. This brotherhood does not
do away with any social or civil rank or station. Rather, it
strengthens the obligation of each to discharge their civil
duties with love and charity. While Onesimus was serving
Paul, he was more than a servant, he was a beloved brother.
- This argument may have put Philemon on the spot. Paul entreats
him, "Receive Onesimus as you would me." Paul must have been
very sure of Philemon's love for him, especially at this time
in his life when many of his followers were leaving him. Many
false teachers had come into the churches and were organizing
a campaign against Paul. Paul could not have really known how
Philemon felt about him at this time, but he relied on the
sustaining power of the Grace of God. Matthew Henry paraphrases
what Paul was asking Philemon to do, "Now show your love to me
and interest and love that I have for you by loving and receiving
one who is near and dear to me, one whom I love even as I love
my self, own and treat him as you would me." Let us not forget
that Onesimus was a run away slave and such people were normally
killed when they were found.
- In this argument, Paul speaks of restitution. He realizes
that Onesimus owes his master. Here, Paul makes a suggestion.
"Whatever he owes you, I will repay, but remember, you owe
me something." One of the characteristics of a penitent
heart is the confession of past failures and sins. Onesimus
must have done this to Paul. Notice, he makes this promise
legal by making it in his own handwriting. Paul knew that
the conversion of Onesimus did not do away with any obligations
that he had incurred prior to his conversion. He was still
Philemon's slave and he was still responsible for the wrong
that he had done. In Paul's day, responsibility could be
assumed by some one else. This practice was best illustrated
by Christ. In Heb.7:22, the author writes, "He, (Christ) was
made sin for us, though He, Himself, knew no sin, that we, who
know sin, might be made righteous before God." Paul was
saying to Philemon, I will be responsible for Onesimus. This
was quite a responsibility that Paul was assuming when you
consider that this crime was punishable by death. How could
Paul has assumed this responsibility? He had no money.
He was a Roman prisoner. But it would seem that Philemon
owed him something. Paul had been the instrument in God's
hands for all the spiritual good that had come to Philemon.
If he had enjoyed any of God's Grace, it was because of
Paul's ministry.
- Paul, in this argument, suggests there is "dividends" in
forgiveness. It brings joy and Paul wanted Philemon to
have that joy. As a brother in Christ, Paul urged Philemon
to forgive Onesimus and this in turn would bring much joy
to Paul at a time when it seemed that all had forsaken him
and it would also bring much joy to Philemon. Paul is
asking for evidence of the Christian love that he had heard
that Philemon possessed. "Fruits of Faith", Paul calls this
elsewhere. "I am confident of your obedience, I write to
you knowing that you will do even more than I ask." The
expectations of others, motivate us more than any thing else.
Paul knew Philemon to be a kind and loving person and he was
persuaded that he would do what was right toward Onesimus.
Paul only spoke well of two groups of people. The Bereans,
who searched the scriptures and the Macedonians who first
gave themselves to the Lord, then to Apostles, then to the
doing of good works as opportunities presented themselves.
Paul believes this Macedonian would respond in forgiveness
when the opportunity was presented.
THUS, PAUL RESTED HIS CASE.
The Promise of Paul to Philemon
["Click here for Philemon 1:21-24"]
Notice here that Paul had not lost hope for his situation. He hoped that through
the prayers of the Saints at Colossae that he would be released and that he might
be permitted to visit them. So confident is he that he asks Philemon to prepare a
guest room for him. Paul knew, for sure, two things in his life. The Power of
Prayer and the will of God. He knew that the first depended on the second. He
lived in total trust believing that prayer accomplished much when it was in the
will of God. He was prepared to go to Colossae to be with Philemon or to go home
to be with the Lord, whatever was God's will.
The Conclusion
["Click here for Philemon 1:25"]
Paul closes with greetings to Philemon from those who were with him. This was, in
a way, Paul's last plea on the part of Onesimus. He was telling Philemon that he
had 5 honorable and trust worthy men with him, servants of God, who had witnessed
the letter and his plea for a slave, one who had become like a son to him.
There was Epaphas, here called "my fellow prisoner in Christ. In Colossians Paul
highly commends this man to the people at Colossae where many knew of his works.
Then there was Mark, cousin to Barnabas, who later became a great Evangelist, and
Aristarchus, who traveled with and was so faithful to Mark.
Then there was Demas who later left Paul as we were told in Second Timothy, for the
"love of this present world", but who, at this time and earlier, was very active in
the Lord's work.
Lastly, there was Luke, the beloved physician, who was associated with Paul on so
many journeys.
Five men of some note who bore witness to Paul's plea and the conversion and work
of Onesimus in the service of Paul.
Paul closes with this benediction, "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with
your spirit." Notice it was God's Grace that Paul prayed for, for Philemon and for
the people of Colossae. God's unmerited favor. I like the way Matthew Henry
describes the action of God's Grace, "We were lost, He recovered us, He repaired
us, He saved us, He provided pardon for us and by His power, He rescued us from
sin, Satan and Hell." "He then renewed us in His likeness and brought us into the
fellowship of God." "We deserved none of this, but by Hid Grace, He purchased it
for us thru Jesus Christ, His Son." That's the action of God's Grace.
Paul ends his letter here, but I was left wondering how it ended between Onesimus
and Philemon. What do you think happened? Tradition says that Paul played one
more card. He sent this letter back to Philemon by Onesimus and he sent with him,
Tychicus as an intercessor. They both returned to Colossae and Philemon not only
forgave Onesimus, but he also granted him his freedom.
A HAPPY ENDING TO THE BOOK OF PHILEMON
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