PHILEMON 8-17
FROM RUNAWAY SLAVE TO BELOVED BROTHER
Philemon 8-9 So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
SUSIE: As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, Paul could have commanded Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother and forgive his thievery and running away.
8 bold . . . to command. Because of his apostolic authority (see notes on Rom. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:6), Paul could have ordered Philemon to accept Onesimus.
NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—
Romans 1:1 (BSB)
Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
1 Thessalonians 2:6 (BSB)
SUSAN: Since Paul is Philemon’s elder in the sense of maturity in the Lord, and his father in the faith, he pleads with Philemon on the basis of his love for the Lord and his love for Paul to do what he is asking.
9 I rather appeal. In this situation, however, Paul did not rely on his authority but called for a response based on the bond of love between himself and Philemon (v. 7; cf. 2 Cor. 10:1). the aged. More than a reference to his chronological age (which at the time of this letter was about 60), this description includes the toll that all the years of persecution, illnesses, imprisonments, difficult journeys, and constant concern for the churches had taken on Paul (see notes on 2 Cor. 11:23–30), making him feel and appear even older than he actually was.
NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition
V. 9 If the apostle did not win Philemon’s heart, then Onesimus might have returned to an icy reception. Only obedience that was motivated by love would make the slave’s status in the home tolerable . . .
Believer’s Bible Commentary
SUSIE: Paul trusts his knowledge of Philemon’s character which he commended in the first part of the letter and believes Philemon will do the right thing.
Philemon 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.
QUESTION: In what respect was Onesimus Paul’s son?
SUSAN: Paul birthed Onesimus in the spiritual sense because he introduced him to Jesus and discipled him while they were together. Paul thought of those he discipled as his children in the Lord.
10 my son. Onesimus has become precious to the imprisoned Paul. became my son. Translates a Greek verb that means “to give birth”; refers to Onesimus’s conversion (1 Cor 4:15).
NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:15 (BSB)
ACTIVITY: Is there someone you consider to be your father or mother in the faith? Have you expressed your appreciation for them? Do you have spiritual children? Have you continued to encourage and guide them after leading them to Jesus? Take time to write notes or emails to your spiritual parents and spiritual children.
Philemon 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
SUSAN: The name Onesimus means “useful.” In the eyes of Philemon, Onesimus was useless since he had stolen from him and had run away.
11 useless . . . useful. Paul makes a play on words—Onesimus’s name means “useful” or “beneficial” (text note). The pun softens the effect on Philemon of having to hear about someone who had injured him. Onesimus had run away and had probably been stealing (v. 18).
ESV Reformation Study Bible
SUSIE: Paul was saying that Onesimus was now useful, living up to his name, and would be so for Philemon as well as Paul . . .
SUSAN: . . . and for the kingdom of God. Onesimus had to be “reborn” to experience his authentic usefulness, his value in the Lord’s service. Many people may have viewed me as “useless” because of my extreme cerebral palsy. However, my value is found in my purpose of serving the Lord. To Him, I am useful because He has made me useful! My purpose is revealed as I fulfill my calling to serve Jesus.
Philemon 12 I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.
SUSIE: Paul is returning Onesimus to his owner, Philemon. In that culture and according to Roman law, Philemon had the right to put a runaway slave to death. However, Paul urges Philemon to receive him graciously because he now holds Onesimus dear as made clear in the Complete Jewish Bible:
. . . so that in returning him to you I am sending a part of my very heart.
Philemon 12 (CJB)
It must have been extremely difficult for Onesimus to do the right thing—to return to Colossae and accept whatever punishment awaited him. More than likely, it also weighed heavily on Paul’s heart. He had grown so close to Onesimus and had watched this man’s faith blossom under his mentorship. Both were probably aware that Philemon had a right to put the new convert to death for his crimes. As believers, our charge is not to avoid the difficulties of life but to obey God. So Onesimus himself carried this letter to Philemon.
NASB Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Notes
SUSIE: Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon knowing the possible consequences for this new believer he had come to love. I believe he knew he could count on Philemon’s Christian character and love for his brother, Paul, to enable him to welcome Onesimus with forgiveness.
Philemon 13 I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
SUSAN: Paul would have liked to have kept Onesimus with him in Rome because he comforted and encouraged him . . .
SUSIE: . . . as Philemon would have done had he been there.
SUSAN: Paul was an encourager, and the sad truth is that people often forget to encourage the encouragers. This made Onesimus’s friendship of immense value to Paul. Paul was “in the bonds of the Gospel” (KJV) meaning he was in prison for preaching the Good News, the message that Christ was and is the Messiah and His redeeming work on the cross was for all who would believe.
Philemon 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.
SUSAN: As stated before, Paul was an Apostle and could have kept Onesimus without consulting Philemon, but respected Philemon and did not want to do anything without his being in agreement.
SUSIE: He wanted Philemon’s forgiveness and acceptance of Onesimus to be freely given and genuine rather than compelled in order for Philemon to reap greater benefit from extending forgiveness.
PONDER THIS: Scripture teaches that we are to forgive others the way that He forgives us which is unconditionally. What makes this difficult? Is it even humanly possible? How can we be enabled to forgive completely without condition?
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (BSB)
Philemon 15-16 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
SUSIE: Perhaps the Lord’s reason for allowing Onesimus to run away was that he might come to know Jesus and return to Philemon as a brother in the Lord.
SUSAN: Paul was able to share with Onesimus the freedom in Jesus, that one can be free even if a slave.
Nature is selfish, but grace is loving. People who boast that they care for nobody and nobody cares for them are the reverse of a Christian, for Jesus Christ enlarges the heart when He cleanses it. None are so tender and sympathetic as our Master, and if we are truly His disciples, the same mind will be in us that was also in Christ Jesus.
The Spurgeon Study Bible, Allistair Begg, editor.
SUSIE: Paul’s desire is that Philemon might enjoy Onesimus as a beloved, fellow believer as well as having the benefit of his service again.
Philemon 17 So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
SUSIE: The Voice translation handles this verse well:
So if you look upon me as your partner in this mission, then I ask you to open your heart to him as you would welcome me.
Philemon 17 (VOICE)
SUSAN: Paul asked Philemon to embrace Onesimus as a part of his heart, as he would Paul.
Verse 17: How beautiful! It reminds me of our Lord Jesus Christ, who seems to say to the divine Father, “This poor child is in fellowship with me. Receive him, therefore, as myself.” And this is just what God does in the case of repenting and believing sinners—He receives them just as if He could see Christ in them.
The Spurgeon Study Bible, Allistair Begg, editor.
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 (BSB)
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:8-9 (BSB)
SUSIE: Apparently the relationship between Paul and Philemon was remarkably close, and Paul hoped Philemon could develop that type of friendship with Onesimus even though he was a slave.
Ponder This: Onesimus had trusted Jesus which means he had repented of his sin and now was indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Paul asked Philemon not only to forgive Onesimus and take him back as his servant, but to give him the VIP welcome that Philemon would normally give to Paul. This would truly be forgiving as Christ forgave. Jesus not only forgives our sin but gloriously welcomes us to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.