Welcome to a Three Part Study of the Letter to Philemon with Part Two – based on the theme – Forgiveness Philemon 8 – 17
Background
In this letter Paul acknowledges the practise of slavery and accepts it in the light that he could not change it and therefore had to live within its structure. Paul was taking a bit of a risk in writing because slaves were not seen as a person in themselves but more of a tool used and powered by a Master or Mistress.
Thank you pixabay
In extreme cases a slave that had run away from their owner could have been branded with a red-hot iron on the forehead, with the letter F – standing for Fugitive/Runaway and in a worst case scenario could have been crucified.
In verse 9 Paul describes himself as an old man and a prisoner of Christ. We do not know exactly the age of Paul but he was in the region of fifty-five plus. Within Greek culture a person from the age of forty-nine to the age of fifty-six would be known as a senior/ambassador and then later known as aged.
A Journey to Rome
It is very probable that Onesimus was someone who had stolen certain items from his owner’s household as indicated by Paul in verse 18 that “if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything charge that to my account”.
Onesimus had made his way to Rome and quite easily could have got lost in the crowded city. However, he came into contact with Paul and later became a Christian; “my child, whose father I have become in my imprisonment” (verse 10).
Thank you pixabay
In Rabbinic teaching it suggests that if one teaches a person then in a general sense they become a son or daughter to us in Christ. As a parent it is so wonderful to be able to bring to birth a child physically and spiritually it can be like having a child twice over.
An appeal to Philemon
Paul makes an appeal by writing a personal letter for Onesimus to give to his master Philemon. There is a pun in respect to the name of Onesimus which in Greek means profitable yet in times past he has been seen as useless compared to the present as being useful (verse 11) and thereby both the same in name and nature. Paul was not able to support, long term a runaway slave and something had to happen to bring the situation to the fore.
A Redeemed Slave
Onesimus left the household of Philemon as a slave and was accepted back as a free and forgiven Christian Brother just as Christ has forgiven us all as found in Ephesians 6: 5 – 9 and Colossians 3:22 – 4: 1.
Paul is writing when he was imprisoned in Rome and most likely when Onesimus was with him and so they would have had lengthy discussions about the relationships of slavery and how one could become a new person in Christ.
Here we find an interesting contrast between somebody who freely gives us a gift for us to enjoy compared to someone who can demand a payment of a certain debt. Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would himself, not as a slave but as a Christian Brother and Paul’s son in the faith (verse 16).
Acceptance in Christ
In verse 12 it refers to Paul sending Onesimus back to Philemon not on the basis of his position or authority but as a senior and aged man full of compassion and love from God. Paul saw Onesimus as his own child and it would not have been easy for him to send him back to Philemon and ask him to accept him back so that his case may be received in love, forgiveness and in Christ.
When we turn to Christ we do not escape from any responsibilities of our past and it’s important to face up to them and as best we can, take our punishment, receive forgiveness and seek to move on having confessed our misdemeanours and reclaim our citizenship within society and before the Lord.
Thank you Greg unsplash.com
New Relationships
The Christian faith over time enabled new and improved relationships to form between all peoples within society. Christians sought to be at one with each other whether Jew, Gentile slave or free as found in 1 Corinthians 12: 13, Galatians 3; 28 and Colossians 3: 11.
Thank you Mic unsplash.com
Paul reveals that in the new community of the church it can represent that there is no difference within the body of Christ and we must welcome back a repentant sinner just as Christ has welcomed us and forgiven our sins and transgressions.
How easy is it to condemn the bad person, the runaway slave and those who have done us harm or let us down. Before the Lord we can seek personal forgiveness but may find it very hard to forgive and forgot those who have wrong us. Paul in this letter sets an example in how to ask for something while being respectful of all relationships. Philemon is an example of how to forgive and help a restoration of actions and attitudes for someone who has embraced the Christian faith.
Questions to consider
1) What do you think about people of a certain age group in regard to how they are received and appreciated both in and outside the church? Discuss about the different attitudes towards older generations that includes respect or ignorance in different countries throughout the world! (Verses 8 – 9)
2) Paul saw Onesimus as his Spiritual Child. He would have nurtured him in the faith and helped him personally to come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord and be ‘Born Again’. Does any spiritual relationship that we may have with people affect how we view them, pray for them and offer practical help where needed? (Verses 10 – 12)
3) The situation with Paul and Onesimus had to change. How do we know when best to let go and give up certain lifestyles, friendships, work situations and anything that may be a hindrance in us maturing as a Christian and serving God where he wants us to be? (Verses 13 – 16)
4) When somebody or institutions have offended or stolen from us how do we forgive them? Should we sue people for recompense as the world seems to do or be willing to cancel any debt incurred and offer appropriate levels of reconciliation? (Verses 17)
5) Onesimus in verse 11 was considered ‘useless and then useful’. Identity and self-worth has always been a concern for many over the years and in modern times is very relevant for the younger generation. When we have offended in some way how can we find forgiveness, acceptance and a new identity and life, especially as a Christian and within a church fellowship?
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
Explore to Inspire 
