During his first Roman imprisonment, Paul felt the compelling need to write this short letter to a fellow believer and prominent member of the church in Colossae. It appears that the once enslaved Onesimus had robbed, or in some other way wronged, his master Philemon and had suddenly “left town,” ending up in Rome where he found relative safety among the masses in the Imperial City. By some “ordained” turn of events, Onesimus came into contact with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (60-61 AD). Following his conversion, Onesimus became an invaluable help to Paul, and yet Paul knew that Onesimus needed to “make things right” with his “master,” Philemon.

The opportunity came as Paul was finishing his letter to the Church in Colossae. Paul asked Tychicus, another fellow-believer who was with Paul in Rome, to deliver the letter to the church, and to take Onesimus with him. And so, Tychicus carried two letters on his journey, the letter to the Colossian Church and the other letter addressed to a member of that church, Philemon.

This short letter tells us much about Philemon: he was a convert of Paul, probably during his Third Missionary Journey when Paul likely met him during his time in Ephesus; he had a house large enough for gatherings of the entire church body; his son Archippus held a prominent position in the church; and he had been kind and gracious to others after he came to Christ. Facing possible severe punishment or even death, Paul knew that Onesimus had to do what was right and return to Philemon, and so, in order to prepare Philemon’s heart for this encounter, Paul wrote him this touching letter.

The letter was so short that no chapters were ever assigned to it. Paul realized the sovereignty of God at work, realizing that Onesimus’ departure from his “master” worked out for God’s glory and for the good of both Philemon and Onesimus. Look at Paul’s heart-felt and touching petition to Philemon,

“I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. And I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart” (Phil. 10-12).

Paul also mentioned the fact that if Philemon knew that Onesimus had come to Rome, met Paul and found Christ, and was ministering to Paul during his imprisonment, he would have likely “released” him for ministry to Paul. However, Paul knew that Onesimus needed to take care of some unfinished business,

“…I wished to keep him with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent, I did not want to do anything that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will” (Phil. 13-14).

And, once again, it is clear that Paul recognized “the hand of God” in this whole situation when he wrote,

“For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you…” (Phil. 15-16).

Paul saw God’s fingerprints all over these events, beginning with Onesimus’ desertion from Philemon and eventually ending up in Rome and converted under Paul’s ministry. Paul was, of course, instrumental in helping Onesimus see his need to “make things right” with Philemon. God was in this, as He is in so many events in our own lives.

And just look at some of Paul’s closing words,

“If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account…” (Phil. 17-18).

Paul was willing to go “the second mile” in order for Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother, and not to meet out any punishment on him. God had turned a “runaway slave” into a “brother in Christ.” Although we have no further details regarding Philemon’s response, I believe that we can rest assured that he received Onesimus back as a brother without punishment, knowing that his conversion was genuine, which was reflected in his service toward Paul during his imprisonment.

When we have been wronged by someone and they eventually recognize their error and come to us with a sincere heart of conviction and confession, I pray that each of us will grant both mercy and grace through Christ who has forgiven all of our sins and made us His child and part of His spiritual family. And may we see all of the circumstances in our lives as part of God’s plan that He is working out “...for good to those who love him and are called according to His purposes” (Rom. 8:28).

May God extend his mercy and grace to each of you. Peggy sends her love from Florida. Blessings to all.