The book of Philemon is about the
story of the slave, or bondservant, Onesimus, who runs away from his master,
Philemon, and finds favor with Paul. John Rutherfurd tells us Philemon was a well-off
resident of Colosse and a prominent member of the church there. Textually, it doesn’t
say exactly why Onesimus has run away, but it could be because he stole from
Philemon because Paul says to “charge it to my account” and that “I will repay
it” if Onesimus has wronged him in any way. While he had run away from
Philemon, he somehow travels to Rome where he has met Paul and has been
converted to Christianity. One source says that they story behind Paul’s appeal is a deeply religious one and has community
implications.
We can clearly see that Onesimushas been influential in Paul’s life because he makes a personal appeal to
Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf and even says he became a father to Onesimus. He
even goes so far to say “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything,
charge that to my account” knowing that Onesimus probably could not afford to
pay him back. He also doesn’t want Onesimus to be treated as a stealing runaway
slave when he returns, but as a “beloved brother” and wants him to be received
as if it was Paul himself because Philemon was more than likely very angry with
Onesimus. He adds in verse 12 that while he is sending Onesimus back, he is “sending
my very heart.”
William MacDonald tells us how Martin Luther said ,“Here we see how
St. Paul lays himself out for poor Onesimus, and with all his means pleads his
cause with his master: and so sets himself as if he were Onesimus, and had
himself done wrong to Philemon. Even as Christ did for us with God the Father,
thus also St. Paul does for Onesimus with Philemon… We are all His Onesimi, to
my thinking.” Bible Gateway shows how each demand Paul makes aids Philemon in
understanding that Christ's exchange for him must be concretely demonstrated by
receiving his slave home as an equal companion of the congregation's life (v.
17); or by paying another's debt (vv. 18-19); or by showing compassion toward
another (vv. 20-21); or by providing a room in his home to a guest (v. 22).
Such are the necessities of being a new creature in Christ. Paul trusts that
Philemon will make the right decision concerning Onesimus. If Philemon wasn’t a
Christian or Paul wasn’t as respected as he was, Onesimus probably would have
never returned knowing that his punishment would be great. To me, Paul is
definitely relying on his friendship with Philemon to find it in his heart to
forgive Onesimus and he says at the end of his letter to “prepare a guest room
for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to
you.”
In this letter, Paul writes to
Philemon saying, “formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful
to you and to me.” Onesimus goes from the useless slave to a useful brother in
Christ. He left a slave but he returned
as a son.
“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”
John 8:35-36 ESV
No comments:
Post a Comment