PHILEMON

W. J. Franklin

Chapter 1:15-25

NOT A SLAVE BUT A BELOVED BROTHER

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?”—Vs. 15,16. We could ask the question, Why does God in His providence allow some things that seem to be so wrong? Note that Onesimus left home a sinner. He returned a saint. Philemon lost him for a short time, but gained him forever. He lost a slave but gained a brother. God allowed all the apparent evil that He might bring about the great good from it. Man intended evil, but God meant it all for good.

Paul implied that he expected Philemon to release Onesimus from slavedom. He, Philemon, was not to receive him back as a slave, but as a brother, Such a step would do away with the former relationship of master and slave. Onesimus was now a member of the same heavenly family as Philemon, hence, dear in the Lord. Doubtless, he had been long in the service of Philemon, so dear in the flesh also. As Paul’s spiritual son, he was dear to him also.

“If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself”—V. 17. This may be rendered, If you count me as one having a common interest. So if Philemon still counted Paul a friend, he would receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul, and Onesimus would no longer be a slave.

PUT THAT ON MINE ACCOUNT

“If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account”—V. 18. Whether Onesimus owed Philemon from having stolen from him or just in his lack of service to him as a slave, is not clear. Paul asked that all obligations be put to his account. How like Christ!

“I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides”—V. 19. Paul emphasized this statement by saying that he wrote it with his own hand. He affirmed that he would pay all.

He also gave Philemon a gentle reminder as to how much he owed Paul. Under God, Paul had been the instrument of Christ in bringing the message of salvation to Philemon, and that is the greatest thing any earthly man can do for us.

“Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord”—V. 20. “Let me have joy of thee,” This word “Joy” would be that Philemon receive back Onesimus and give him his liberty. Some give the word “Joy” as profit or as a return on an investment. It can bear that meaning.

Philemon could refresh Paul’s bowels in the Lord by doing to and with Onesimus as Paul wished Him to do.

“Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say”—V. 21. Paul had confidence that Philemon would not only obey him in all his request, but that he would do more. This “More than I say” implies that Paul expected him to liberate Onesimus with a full release from slavery.

“But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you”—V. 22. This verse with Phil. 1:25; Heb. 13:23 implies that Paul had faith from God for his deliverance from what has been called his first Roman imprisonment, and we feel definitely that he was released for a season.

“There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus”—V. 23. Epaphras had preached Christ in Colosse—Col. 1:7, and was one of them. We are not told why he was a prisoner. Surely his greetings were appreciated.

“Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers”—V. 24. Surely the warm greetings of these four “Fellowlabourers” would warm the heart of Philemon and the church that met in his house.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”—V. 25. This verse may be called Paul’s trademark and it expresses God’s attitude to His people, and as it is one of grace, it does not need to be enlarged upon.

In the narrative of Paul and Onesimus, there is a beautiful parallel of Christ’s work for the sinner. Paul put himself out for the runaway slave and pleaded his cause with all that was within him. Onesimus had wronged his rightful owner, even as we had done wrong to God, our Creator. Yet, like Christ, Paul stood in the gap and brought the two alienated parties together.

Paul did not plead right or justice, but as it were, stripped himself of his strength, and did not use even the force he had. He said, in essence, put his debt to my account, I will repay it. I will stand in his stead, identify him with me. If you love me, treat him well.

Paul was the friend of both parties, even as was Christ the friend of both God and man. Paul presented the offender to the offended without denying the fault of the offender.

His success was a triumph of grace and love on his part and also, on the part of Philemon. Onesimus was the recipient of the grace and love, even as we have received God’s favor through the work of Christ.

Onesimus was to be received back, even as we, into full favor and that forever.

The End