I have really grown fond of Paul's letter to Philemon. The letter to Philemon is the last of Paul’s thirteen letters and the shortest. In fact, if we haven't forgotten it, most of us don't even know it’s a book in the Bible. Imprisoned in Rome for the second time, Paul writes a heart felt plea on behalf of Onesimus, a run away slave, to Philemon. Philemon, a dear man and fellow worker of God [verse 1] has been wronged by his former slave Onesimus. Having stolen from his master, Onesimus fleas to Rome where he eventually meets Paul. In chains, Paul pours his life into Onesimus, teaching the run away slave all the things of Christ. Onesimus grows in character and understanding, becoming a useful soldier for the kingdom, so much so that Paul writes to Philemon to appeal on behalf of Onesiums, ‘who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me’ [verse 10]. So, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive the ex-slave who has wronged him.
Paul asks Philemon to set aside his legal claim and authority over the slave who cannot pay back what he has stolen and ‘welcome him as you would welcome me’[verse 17].
That he, Paul, will personally pay the debt owed to Philemon, a debt that Onesimus literally has no means to pay: ‘If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—‘ [verse 18].
In chains, towards the end of his life and with the confidence of Christ, Paul whole heartedly appeals to Philemon to do these things, ‘that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ’ [verse 20].
So a man sins and can not capably repay his debt. Another, who has done no wrong, pays this debt so that the man may be freed, restored, and useful. I often wonder what Philemon ultimately decided to do? I wonder, being in a similar situation, what I would do.
Paul asks Philemon to set aside his legal claim and authority over the slave who cannot pay back what he has stolen and ‘welcome him as you would welcome me’[verse 17].
That he, Paul, will personally pay the debt owed to Philemon, a debt that Onesimus literally has no means to pay: ‘If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—‘ [verse 18].
In chains, towards the end of his life and with the confidence of Christ, Paul whole heartedly appeals to Philemon to do these things, ‘that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ’ [verse 20].
So a man sins and can not capably repay his debt. Another, who has done no wrong, pays this debt so that the man may be freed, restored, and useful. I often wonder what Philemon ultimately decided to do? I wonder, being in a similar situation, what I would do.
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