Philemon (4)

Pray Psalm 113.4-6.
The LORD is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

Read Philemon 1.12-16.

Prepare.
1. What was unusual about Paul’s sending Onesimus back to Philemon?

2. What was he expecting of Philemon?

Meditate.
Paul led Onesimus to the Lord, and the runaway slave immediately became a help to him in his ministry (v. 13). He loved Onesimus, and he would like to have had him remain in Rome. But before he could continue with Paul, Onesimus had to return to Colossae and set matters straight with Philemon (v. 14). First things first.

In sending back a runaway slave, Paul might be seen to have been in violation of the Law of God, which granted runaways their freedom (cf. Deut. 23.15, 16). The Old Testament permitted slavery (cf. Ex. 21.2-6; Lev. 25.44-46), but the form of it was far different from what was practiced in the surrounding nations of the time, or in the American experience. Slaves had rights, could wed and raise a family, own property, and be manumitted or purchase their freedom. It was unlawful to divide their families or treat them with violence.

And it was unlawful to return a runaway to his master. Paul made it very clear that he was not violating the Law. He was sending Onesimus back as a free man, a brother and not a slave. He assumed that, because of what he owed Paul in terms of his own life in the Lord, Philemon would acknowledge his authority and submit to his decision. Paul expected Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother, and not to reduce him to bonds again. Paul seems to have wanted his friend to send Onesimus back to Rome, to help him, in Philemon’s stead, in his ministry. We note the emphasis on love that bookends these verses (cf. vv. 12, 16). Unless love – for the Lord, Onesimus, and Paul – were Philemon’s motive, he would be acting by compulsion in granting Paul’s request, and this would not fulfill the law of love.

In Christ there are neither slaves nor free, Paul had written (Gal. 3.26-29). This alone was a first blow against the wall of slavery, which was everywhere practiced in Paul’s day. The manumitting of Onesimus was another plank in the foundation that would see Christians and others working to end slavery in the early 19^th century, and continuing to work against it worldwide today.

Reflect.
1. What was Paul hoping to accomplish by sending Onesimus back to Colossae?

2. Though Christians continued to own slaves in the period of the New Testament and beyond, the Gospel laid the foundation for the elimination of slavery. Explain.

3. Why did Paul want Philemon’s blessing on the action he took with Onesimus?

God does not tyrannize but rules, and when he rules, he does not coerce but encourages and he wishes that those under him yield themselves willingly to his direction so that the good of someone may not be according to compulsion but according to his free will. This is what Paul with understanding was saying to Philemon in the letter to Philemon concerning Onesimus: “So that your good be not according to compulsion but according to free will.” Origen (185-254), Homilies on Jeremiah 20.2

Thank You, Lord, for the freedom I have in Jesus. Help me to use that freedom today to serve You by…

Pray Psalm 113.4-7.
Give praise to God Who, though He is high and holy, looks upon the needs of lowly wretches such as we, to touch us with renewing grace and power.

Sing Psalm 113.1, 2, 4-7.
Psalm 113.1, 2, 4-7 (Armageddon: Who Is On the Lord’s Side?)
High above the nations, on Your glorious throne,
who is like You, Savior, ruling all You own?
Sovereign and all-knowing, over all above,
Praise to You is owing for Your perfect love!
Refrain vv. 1, 2
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!

Though You rule from heaven, looking down on earth,
praise and thanks be given to Your holy worth!
Down You reach to touch us, clad in ash and dust,
raising us with such as in Your favor trust.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).