8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Paul appeals to Philemon out of love to do what is right. He could have used his authority as an apostle to command him to do what is required. But true forgiveness cannot come from compulsion. Paul’s appeal was for Onesimus who he had led to believe in Christ during his imprisonment. Paul had a deep bond with those he led to the Lord, like a father-son relationship. Onesimus, whose name means “useful” had become useless after stealing and fleeing from Philemon. But now, because of his new birth in Christ, he had once again become useful. Paul was speaking from experience. Onesimus had already proved himself faithful in service to Paul and Paul was willing to have him continue ministering to him in Philemon’s stead. But he was more concerned about facilitating forgiveness and restoration in a broken relationship. By sending Onesimus back, Philemon was able to forgive freely, not under compulsion. Paul suggested that perhaps Onesimus flight was used by God to bring him to faith so that he might return forever as a brother in Christ.
Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus in the same way he would receive Paul as his partner in ministry. Philemon would have enthusiastically welcomed Paul, and Paul hoped he would respond similarly to Onesimus. There should be great equality in the body of Christ (Gal 3:28). Though positionally a slave, Onesimus should be treated as an equal before Christ. Knowing that Onesimus had stolen from Philemon, Paul took the pen from his scribe and personally wrote that he would repay whatever was owed. He wanted nothing to stand in the way of the two men reconciling. But Paul did remind Philemon that he had a greater spiritual debt to Paul who evidently had led him to Christ as well. When we consider how much we have been forgiven at the cross then we should freely forgive others (Eph 4:32; Luke 7:47; Matt 18:21-35). Paul had already commended Philemon for refreshing the saints (Phile 7) and now Paul hoped that he would be encouraged by Philemon’s act of forgiveness.
Paul wrote with confidence that Philemon would not only forgive Onesimus as he had requested but go above and beyond. Paul also wrote with the hope that he would have the opportunity to visit them soon.
Paul concluded the letter with greetings from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (who are also mentioned in Colossians 4:10-14). Paul prayed that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ would be with Philemon’s spirit. As he pondered the letter and considered forgiving Onesimus, Philemon, saved by grace, could only forgive by that same grace.
Paul gave Philemon many reasons and encouragements to forgive. If you are battling to forgive someone, consider the grace shown through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for you and His grace in you that empowers you to forgive.
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Joseph’s Dreams: Genesis 37