III. Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus (8-16)
Share
III. Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus (8-16)
It’s at this point that Paul makes his transition. After praising Philemon for his faithfulness, Paul mentions the name he probably didn’t want to hear: Onesimus. Previously, Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who wronged him by perhaps stealing from him (v. 18) and then running away. Somehow Onesimus came into contact with Paul in Rome and believed the gospel (v. 10). The runaway slave, then, had become a saint.
Everything changes when a person places faith in Christ. When a person comes to Jesus, he has a new status. When people enter the family of God, their relationships change. The question addressed in this passage is this: how do you relate to a person who has wronged you based on his new status with Jesus Christ?
8-11 Paul admits he could use his authority as an apostle and command Philemon to do what is right (v. 8). But he cares about their relationship and makes an appeal, instead, on the basis of love (v. 9). Since the name “Onesimus” actually means “useful,” Paul makes a play on words: the man who was formerly useless to you is now useful both to you and to me (v. 11). Paul has seen that Onesimus’s new status in Christ matches his name.
12-16 Given his imprisonment for the gospel, Paul would like Onesimus to stay and serve him on Philemon’s behalf. Philemon’s runaway slave could become his representative to support God’s premier missionary. But Paul doesn’t want to obligate his friend without his consent (v. 14), so he is sending [Onesimus] back (v. 12). Why? Because Onesimus needs to return and face up to what he’s done. He has to go to Philemon and make things right. But, also, Paul is helping Philemon grow in love and forgiveness. Philemon has the opportunity to receive Onesimus back no longer as a slave, but . . . as a dearly loved brother (v. 16). Paul wants these men to deal with their problem, not to bypass it. That way, they can show the church what reconciliation looks like. Regardless of role differences, class distinctions, or economic disparities, the ground is level at the cross.