APOSTLE PAUL AND PHILEMON & ONESIMUS Dear friends At this point I would like to insert an article from the Youth Guide Feb 1979 and part of an article from Word of Life 1 March 1979, and R.I. 3 Manual. These are all based on the letter of Apostle Paul to Philemon and in particular with regard to Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon. These are beautiful insights into the Bible and into some details of the life of faith in the first Apostolic Church. A DOCUMENT OF CHRISTIAN LOVE The Epistle of Apostle Paul to Philemon Thirteen of the letters which Apostle Paul wrote to his brethren are recorded in the New Testament. One of them is addressed to Philemon, a wealthy Christian and a friend of the Apostle, who lived in Colossae. This epistle could almost be likened to a private letter: The Apostle asks his friend to grant him a personal wish. When we read this letter we get an insight into the heart of this great Apostle and we find out exactly how he demonstrated Christian love. Paul wrote three of his letters during his imprisonment, namely to the Ephesians, the Colossians and to Philemon. The Apostle gladly suffered the chains for Christ’s sake and he was thankful that in his captivity he was able to write to the brethren, to admonish them lovingly and to strengthen their faith. One day he received an unexpected visitor: Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon, came and sought refuge with him. According to the law of that time, slaves were the personal property of their masters; by escaping they were, so to speak, “damaging their master’s property”. Onesimus must have realized that he was in a serious and hopeless position – run-away slaves who were captured had to reckon with an extremely hard punishment – therefore he went to the Apostle, for he had found out where Paul was whilst he was still working for Philemon. Paul had an open door for him, and moreover, he brought Onesimus to the belief in Jesus Christ, he baptised and sealed him. But he could not just simply abolish the existing law and keep Onesimus for himself; he was compelled to tell him: You must go back to Philemon! In order to make sure that he would be well received, he furnished Onesimus with a letter to his master. Its precious content is preserved for us in the shortest letter of Apostle Paul. Paul begins with the greetings of peace to Philemon and his house: “Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philemon 3). The following words of Apostle Paul express thanks and joy: “I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother” (Philemon 4 – 7). The Apostle then explains his reasons for writing: “Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Philemon 8 – 9). The Apostle addresses Philemon in meekness and love, in the manner of a petitioner rather than a commander. Paul asks him to take back Onesimus, whom he converted into a Christian, and to whom he had become a spiritual father: “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent again” (Philemon 10 – 11). The Greek name Onesimus means: Profitable, useful. Onesimus was to give full honour to his name – contrary to the time before his escape “thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels” (Philemon 12). Philemon was asked to receive this former good-for-nothing just as he would receive the Apostle himself: what a wonderful intercession! Paul, in fact, only reluctantly sent Onesimus back to his master: “Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly” (Philemon 13 – 14). Then and today – everything in God’s work is voluntary, not one of us is compelled to perform good deeds. Onesimus’ stay with Paul even benefited Philemon: “For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?” (Philemon 15 – 16). Philemon could only have regarded the slave Onesimus as his property whilst he was alive; but as his brother-in-Christ, he knew that a bond was made which would last for ever. Again follows the pleas of a friend: “If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself” (Philemon 17). The Apostle even goes so far and vouches to pay Philemon if Onesimus has caused him to suffer a loss in any way: “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides” (Philemon 18 – 19) - he reminds his friend very briefly that he did, after all, lead him to the faith in Christ. After a final request for Onesimus, Paul continues with words of confidence and the assurance of his esteem fro Philemon: “Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say” (Philemon 20 – 21). Then follows an announcement which Philemon must have read with pleasure and joy: “But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you” (Philemon 22). The Apostle knew the power of prayers and was fully convinced that he would be soon released. The Apostle closed this wonderful letter with kind regards also from his fellow prisoners and adds the benediction: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (Philemon 25). …THAT THY BENEFIT SHOULD NOT BE AS IT WERE OF NECESSITY; BUT WILLINGLY PHILEMON 14 Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon, a wealthy man of high repute in Colossae, in whose house the Apostolic Christians conducted their divine services, approaching him with a special request. Onesimus, who had been a slave in Philemon’s household and who probably had caused much damage and incurred debts which Philemon had to honour, had run away. He had become a Christian, and Apostle Paul wanted to send him back to Philemon, not as a slave, but as a servant and his co-worker in God’s salvation work. Philemon had good reason to punish Onesimus, therefore Paul wrote to him in order to obtain his consent. However he did not want to coerce Philemon into forgiving Onesimus, he wanted it to be a voluntary gesture on Philemon’s part. The faith and love of God’s children, and their ability to follow is measured by their willingness to renounce. OUR R.I. 3 MANUAL tells us about “The Epistle to Philemon” – “A slave called Onesimus belonging to the faithful Christian Philemon in Colossia, a wealthy man, had run away. In Rome this slave became a Christian and was sealed by Apostle Paul. Paul sent Onesimus back to his master Philemon in Colossia (Asia Minor), giving Onesimus a letter (the Epistle to Philemon) for Philemon. Then further on pages 74 – 75 – “The Martyrs” – “Many of the bishops also suffered martyrdom, among them being … Onesimus, formerly a slave of the wealthy Philemon (and) who later became Bishop of Ephesus.” Love and best wishes, Alan Woodman
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 08:34:46 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015