This is part of the Classic Bible: Favorite Stories & Passages series. Read more from the series!
The shortest of all Paul’s letters is his personal correspondence with Philemon concerning his slave, Onesimus, who had run away. Though short, Paul skillfully weaves several key Christian principles into the fabric of this letter.
Onesimus, a slave, had run away from his owner and escaped. Over the course of time, he met Paul, who introduced him to Jesus, and accepted him as Lord and Savior.
This places Paul in a bind, both legally and spiritually. Paul is obligated to report to his friend and Christian brother, Philemon, that he has found Onesimus, and is sending him home. But what if Philemon didn’t accept Onesimus in a favorable manner? What if there were extenuating circumstances, as verse 18 seems to imply? And is seems that Paul may even want Philemon to release Onesimus, perhaps even to assist Paul in his ministry.
Out of this dilemma, Paul writes this brief masterpiece. He writes to Philemon to appeal to his love as a Christian for Onesimus, encouraging him to release him from slavery. In fact, it seems that Paul could require this, as indicated by the suggestion that Philemon owes his own conversion to Paul’s efforts as well.
By the fact that this letter was preserved in the canon of Scripture, we can assume that Philemon complied to this request. And, in the early second century, there is an Onesimus who is mentioned as a bishop of the Ephesian church. It is not provable if this is the same Onesimus, but the timing certainly fits.
Out of this brief letter, which takes only moments to read, I find a couple of passages to be extremely encouraging. Here are my favorite passages from the letter to Philemon:
Paul’s Prayer – Philemon 4-6
Paul begins many of his letters in this fashion, with a prayer and thankfulness. But even though he does this often, in this case, he does so with much more care. He mentions several topics in these couple of verses that he will address more fully in the body of the letter, such as prayer, love, fellowship, and brotherhood.
Paul’s extra encouragement comes in the phrase “that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (NIV). In this statement, he equates our growing as disciples with our willingness to share our faith. Commentators are divided over the intricacies of this statement, but I find it very encouraging.
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. – Philemon 4-6, NASB
Onesimus Returned – Philemon 15-16
In this brief section, and in the verses around it (12-16), Paul encourages Philemon to free Onesimus from slavery. Paul sees the events surrounding the escape and eventual return of Onesimus as God-ordained, and for a greater purpose. If Onesimus has simply been returned without meeting Paul, or Jesus, then the master-slave relationship would have been maintained, until one of them died. But as a new believer, Onesimus’ relationship with Philemon will continue for eternity, changing the way things are in the present as well.
In this short statement, Paul makes a staggering point. He uses two new words concerning Onesimus: slave and brother. His use of the term “brother” transcends the title of “slave.” The meaning here is clear; regardless of the status of Onesimus in Philemon’s household, whether slave or free, the status of Onesimus in God’s household takes precedent. In God’s view, Philemon and Onesimus are now equals, and brothers in the family of God.
For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. – Philemon 15-16, NASB
What are your favorite stories from the book of Philemon? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.