Today's lesson comes from Philemon 1: 4-19. This lesson focuses on Paul's request that Philemon would receive Onesimus back into his service. Onesimus had been a slave or servant to Philemon. When he ran away, he may have taken property which belonged to Philemon. Philemon was a Gentile, having been raised under Roman law.
he Jewish concept of slavery was vastly different from the Roman concepts. Jewish laws regarding slavery were as follows:
1. They were treated as household members (Lev. 25:53).
2. They became partakers of the covenant (Gen. 17:27).
3. They were freed during the Sabbatical ear (Ex. 21:2).
4. They were freed if injured (Ex. 21:26,27).
5. A person who killed a slave was severely punished (Ex. 21:20).
6. Escaped slaves were not to be returned to their masters (Deut. 23:15,16).
Philemon is the shortest of Paul's letters. This letter is more personal than his other letters, and Paul is writing yo a good friend rather than from a position of authority. The main subject is the request for Philemon to forgive and receive back a servant (Onesimus)who had run away.
The first section is: Praise for Philemon. (vv. 4-7) Paul's life was characterized by evangelism and prayer. His letters generally contained expressions of his prayers for his converts. Philemon was one of those converts. Paul would have held him up in prayer.
Philemon had been saved approximately five years ago when Paul was at Ephesus. Paul had learned about Philemon's consistent walk of faith. It was Philemon's love for God that was manifested in his love for others. It was that love for others which led Paul to appeal to him for mercy for Onesimus.
In this first section, Paul confirms much praise on Philemon. He speaks of his love and faith towards God and man (v. 5) and his good works toward others (v. 7). His conduct not only refreshed the saints, but it was also refreshing to Paul's spirit (v. 7).
The summary points of this section are:
1. Prayer is essential to perpetuating and preserving the work of God.
2. You can see someone's faith by their works.
3. Your actions reveal your true beliefs.
The second section is: Plea for Onesimus. (vv. 8-19) Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and had apostolic authority to direct the affairs of churches and individuals. He could simply order Philemon to receive Onesimus back. Paul did not want to that. Paul wants to make his appeal of love, not compulsion.
This Verse 9 is the only place in Scripture where Paul refers to his age (("Paul the aged"). Commentators tell us that Paul was approximately sixty years old at the time of the writing. Paul uses his age and current imprisonment to appeal to Philemon. Paul begins his request by calling Onesimus his son (v. 10). Paul goes on to say that Onesimus was now profitable to both himself and to Philemon. While Onesimus did not have to return to Philemon, verse 12 tells us that Paul as his spiritual father has sent him and we know he obeyed Paul's request. Paul states to Philemon, "thou therefore receive him...." Paul wants Philemon to receive him as he would receive Paul himself.
The summary points of this section are:
1. While God could compel men, He appeals to them in love.
2. Someone is not truly useful to another until they become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. While it is the Lord Jesus Christ who saves, He uses people to tell others about Himself.
In verse 13, Paul states that he would have kept Onesimus as his servant, but he would not do that without Philemon's approval (v. 14). Paul wants Philemon to be involved in the decision making process and did not want to force him into anything. In verse 15, Paul suggests that Onesimus had left Philemon just for a season (brief period of time), but now would return as a brother beloved. Believers in Christ are brothers and sisters and should be treated so accordingly. Paul relies on his relationship with Philemon describing it as a partnership (v. 17), stating that any wrong done by Onesimus to Philemon would be paid by Paul. However, Paul reminds Philemon in verse 19 that he owes Paul for his deepest joys and hope of heaven. Paul was the spiritual father of both Philemon and Onesimus. It would be a small matter for Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to restore him to his favor. Paul was counting on Philemon to forgive Onesimus.
Paul's willingness to take on Onesimus' debt is typical of our Lord Jesus Christ who took our guilt and paid our debt. Martin Luther said, "We are all the Lord's Onesimi." All had run from God, but Christ paid our sin debt and brought us back to be received by the Father!
The summary points of this portion are:
1. We are in partnership with other Christians to do the Lord's work.
2. We should be quick to forgive others if we want to be forgiven.
3. God in His Providence controls the affairs of men and that includes returning them as brothers to those they have wronged.
The Golden Text is: "Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved." (Philem. 16) Under Roman law, slaves were property to be bought and sold. If a runaway slave was caught, they could be crucified. Onesimus was blessed that his master had become a Christian. It was the Providence of God that Onesimus met Paul and heard the gospel. He lost his guilt and fear of the future when he turned over his life tot the Lord Jesus Christ. He was now a "doulas" (slave) to the Lord Jesus Christ. He could now trust God for his future. Ignatius, one of the early church fathers, says that Onesimus followed Timothy as the pastor of the Ephesian church.
By God's grace, a hopeless slave's life was completely changed. From runaway to pastor! The good news is that God is still changing lives today. Has He changed yours?
Next week: "Reconciled Through Christ." (Colossians 1: 9-22)
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