Written about 60 A.D. during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, the letter instructs us about forgiveness and accepting our fellow Christians as our equals not matter what their perceived class might be. The homeless man in the mission shelter is as much our equal in Christ as the wealthiest member of the congregation. This is the teaching, but not often the practice.

Paul wisely opens his letter to Philemon with a reminder that he is a prisoner. He has an understanding of Onesimus’ position as a slave. Paul makes no social commentary on the ethic of owning slaves, but he does gently remind Philemon that he is a captive, too. (Vs. 1 and Vs. 9) Paul does make it clear that Christianity can never sanction slavery. Christ came to set the captives free and make Christians equal. In verses 16 and 17 Paul urges Philemon to receive Onesimus as his brother rather than his servant. He tells Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would Paul.

Paul couldn’t directly attack the institution of slavery, as it was so much a part of the times that to do so would cause him even greater trouble and detract from his purpose of spreading the Gospel. However, he does strongly suggest that Philemon needs to free Onesimus even if it is only because Philemon owes Paul for the preaching that brought him to Christ.

In verses 5-6, Paul models the Christian love for Philemon that he later asks Philemon to have for Onesimus. He extends his prayers to Philemon and acknowledges Philemon’s reputation as a Godly man. He is not pandering to Philemon’s vanity; he is sincere in his recounting of Philemon’s virtues. Philemon was his friend and Paul knew first hand that this man was sincere in his faith.

Paul opens his case for Onesimus. He reminds Philemon that he is an Elder of the Church, a position that gives him authority to make demands of the members. Yet, he does not demand but appeals instead to Philemon’s Christian charity. He’s giving Philemon the opportunity to do the right thing and forgive Onesimus and accept him as brother and equal. (Vs. 9-10)

He relays to Philemon that he has lead Onesimus to Christ and that where Onesimus was previously an unwilling servant; he is now a willing servant to Philemon, Paul and to Christ. We see here the work that Christ has done in Onesimus; changing the heart of the man from bitter servant to willing. (Vs. 10-11) When we take the Spirit of Christ, he sweeps our hearts clean of the debris that has cluttered us and made us of little use. Our job then is to keep our hearts clean after they have been righted.

Paul is also trying to lighten the mood in this passage. Onesimus’ name means “profitable”. Where he was previously an unwilling servant, unprofitable, he is now a useful, profitable, one. Paul’s play on Onesimus’ name probably lifted the somberness of the situation. Picture Onesimus arriving at the door of Philemon bearing Paul’s letter. Philemon has every right under Roman law to kill Onesimus for running away. There must have been a great deal of tension in the air as Philemon read the letter while Onesimus waited in fear.

Paul dearly loved Onesimus but knew that he could not keep the man with him without the blessing of Philemon. The only thing he could do was send Onesimus back and pray that Philemon would not have him killed and would see Paul’s underlying request for the services of Onesimus. Paul tells Philemon that he would have kept Onesimus with him if it weren’t for the service Onesimus owed to Philemon. (Vs. 13) He goes on to say that he wouldn’t accept the services of Onesimus without the willing consent of Philemon. (Vs. 14) He might as well have added “hint, hint’ at the end of his statement. It is plain that Paul would like for Philemon to forgive Onesimus, free him and allow him to return to Paul.

Paul makes the point in verses 15-16 that Onesimus’ running away served a higher purpose. The man was saved as a result and returns to Philemon a better servant and a brother in Christ. God can take advantage of every situation to do good in our lives.

As proof of his sincerity in requesting Philemon forgive Onesimus, Paul offers to personally pay any debt that Onesimus owes. But, Paul also reminds Philemon that he owes Paul for his salvation. Paul apparently is the person that led Philemon to Christ. (Vs. 18-19)

Throughout the letter Paul is entirely tactful, yet he keeps the pressure on Philemon to do the right thing, forgive and free Onesimus. He says that he knows Philemon will do more than he asks because he is an obedient Christian. Paul knew how to use language to remind people of their Christian obligations without offending. We will encounter times in our Christian relationships when we have to deal with delicate situations. Paul shows us that we can do so with love and sincerity yet still make our point.

There are several simple lessons in this short Book. Forgiveness, acceptance, tact, equality and responsibility are all covered here. When you struggle with forgiveness, keep in mind the debt the Lord forgave you and the freedom He gave as well.