Paul’s plea for Onesimus: (1:8-14):
Paul reminds Philemon his chains again. He reminds Philemon that he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus. In other words, Paul is a love slave of Christ. As David said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced” (Ps.40:6a). Philemon could not possibly turn down a request from a man in such honourable suffering. Paul makes several points to Philemon:
- Onesimus did seek forgiveness: Philemon cannot afford to ignore him. This is the process of repentance.
- Onesimus is a changed man: Formerly he was useless, but now is useful both to Paul and Philemon. He was ready to serve Philemon with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord (Col.3:22).
- Paul’s relationship to Onesimus: sending back Onesimus is like sending Paul’s very heart (1:12). Onesimus was so helpful that he wished to keep at his side. Onesimus could have helped Paul on-behalf of Philemon during his imprisonment for the furtherance of the Gospel.
- Paul could have kept Onesimus: But he did not want continue without Philemon’s consent. Further he did not want Philemon’s goodness to be by compulsion, but of his own free will.
- Onesimus ran away from Philemon as a slave: But when he returned. he is no longer a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor.2:9).
- Onesimus stole money: He stole money from Philemon and even for his journey to Rome. He cannot pay back. He probably did not find any job in Rome. He spent most of his time serving Paul. So Paul urges Philemon to welcome him as he would welcome the Apostle Paul.
- Onesimus owes everything to Philemon: But he is unable to pay back. But Paul puts Philemon under no compulsion and says that “if he owed you anything, charge it to my account.” Paul removes any pressure that Philemon may have felt. Paul is personally signing Philemon (I.O.U) on behalf of Onesimus. Paul may have had financial resources to pay Onesimus’s debt although he was in prison.
- Paul reminds Philemon: He reminds that “you owe me your very self.” It is true that Onesimus owes Philemon some material value, but Philemon owes all the eternal value. Paul was instrumental in bringing Philemon to the Lord. This is a debt that Philemon could never pay back.
Paul’s willingness to meet Onesimus’s debt is a marvellous picture of what Christ has done for us. Like Onesimus who did wrong to Philemon, we have done wrong to God, we are like Onesimus, a run-away slave. But Paul stood in the middle to bring reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. This is the same role played by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes we are also indebted to all our friends, teachers, parents, wife, children, Pastors, elders our church, fellowships, our congregations etc. who have nourished and shaped us to become a better Christian.
Forgiveness: (1:15-19): We are to forgive others as God forgave us. There are 5-benefits in forgiveness.
- Forgiveness brings salvation: (1:15):
For a Christian, unwillingness to forgive others is unthinkable. It is a disobedient act, rebellion. Forgiveness brings comfort, relaxation, peace and sets us free from the past. On the other hand dwelling on wrong done, keeps us in resentment, robs our joy, puts pain in the heart. Because God’s forgiveness brought us salvation, our forgiveness to others would show them the way to Salvation. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:14-15).
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he had sinned against God. When he kept quiet, the Lord’s hand was heavy upon him. But when he cried to God, He forgave David (Ps.51). Straying away from God with un-forgiven sins would lead us to the path of destruction. Christians who fail to forgive others will not enjoy the forgiveness.