In about AD 63, while imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial before Nero, Paul drafted a letter to one of his dear friends in Colossae, in Asia Minor. If you recall, Paul wrote a letter addressed to the entire church at Colossae, but this letter was a personal letter to one of the members of the church. That member’s name was Philemon, and he was a slave-owner.
Let’s remember that while the Roman army was making one conquest after another, foreign armies were destroyed, and towns and villages were overrun. Rather than putting everyone to the sword, Rome captured thousands of common folk and brought them back to the Empire to serve as slaves. Some ended up in Rome, but most in other cities scattered throughout the Empire. Some worked in mines, galley ships, fields, and some provided services in the households of their “masters.” And, keep in mind, that not all slave owners were cruel, but actually quite benevolent.
During his time under house arrest in Rome, Paul had many people who ministered to his needs, and one of those was a man named Onesimus. Of course, Paul shared with him about the life and ministry of Jesus, and Onesimus came to Christ by faith and became a follower of The Way. And, as Paul later found out, Onesimus was a slave and had run away from his master, Philemon, while in Colossae. He had come to Rome hoping to “get lost in the crowd.” But all that changed when he met Paul. Paul knew that Onesimus had some “unfinished business” to take care of, and so Paul sent him back to Colossae so that he could “turn himself in” to Philemon. But Paul didn’t send him back alone, but with a letter that he had written to Philemon. Can you believe it? That letter shows up in our Bibles! I find that really exciting. Well, here are some highlights of that letter.
Paul told Philemon that he had prayed for him regularly, and that he had heard about his love and faith in Christ and toward all those who believe. Paul continued,
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother” (Philemon 7).
After praising Philemon for his love and faithfulness, he appeals to him regarding Onesimus who had run away from him prior to becoming a Christian. Here is what Paul says next,
“I have sent him back to you in person, that is, I’m sending my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me….But without your consent I did not want to do anything, because I did not want to impose on your godly character out of compulsion, but out of your own free will” (Philemon 12-14).
Onesimus had become so close to Paul that he was “sending his own heart.” Paul loved Onesimus and didn’t want to “lose” him, but Paul also recognized God’s purposes in all that had transpired, because he then said,
“For perhaps he left you for awhile so that you could now have him back forever, but no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother. Accept him as you would me.” (Philemon 15-17).
Paul is asking Philemon to receive his “runaway slave” as a brother in Christ. But Paul isn’t through yet as he wants to make sure about repayment of any debt Onesimus may still owe,
“If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account” (Philemon 18).
It is at this point that Paul reminded Philemon that Paul had previously played a major role in leading him to Christ. And then Paul heads toward his conclusion by saying,
“Refresh my heart in Christ, since I know that you will do even more than what I ask” (Philemon 20-21).
I find it interesting that in Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, Paul gives instruction to both slaves and masters. I’m particularly interested in what Paul said to masters,
“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.” (Col. 4:1).
Paul appeals to all those in the 1st century who owned slaves to treat them fairly and with justice, remembering that they too are under the authority of their Master in heaven. Thus, the playing field become level with both master and slave under the ultimate authority of their true Master in Heaven. And furthermore, look at what else Paul had to say to the entire church in Colossae,
“In Christ, there is no Jew nor Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Col. 3:11).
Interestingly, throughout the Empire, social status and racial boundaries remained, but what was broken down in the Church was the wall that separated them. In Christ, we all kneel at the foot of the cross for forgiveness, and we serve the risen Lord of Heaven and earth. We all need to live and act as followers of our Master in Heaven.
Although we don’t have any written document that indicates that Philemon welcomed back Onesimus, we can be confident that he did simply because Philemon was not only a faithful follower of Christ, but he also saw himself as one who served the One who “owned” him, that is Jesus Christ. May each of us see ourselves in light of who we are in Christ, and who our “brothers” and “sisters” really are. May each of us learn to truly love one another because Christ first loved us. And let us demonstrate that love in all of our words and actions.
Blessings to each of you.
