Be Forgiving - Philemon 1: 1-25

One of the greatest blights in American history was caused by the introduction of slavery into our new country. Slavery has been practiced in one form or another since the earliest biblical times, and there are still forms of slavery even in our country today. The general concept was that a slave was collateral property of his/her owner and could be bought and sold as such; and could be treated or mistreated as the owner wished. I am assuming from my study of the bible that this was the general practice in the Roman Empire at the time of Paul’s writing. In one commentary I found that there was a population of just over a million people in Rome and about one third were slaves. This is a very personal letter written in [about 60 A.D.] while Paul was in prison in Rome, to his friend in Christ, Philemon.

Philemon was probably a very rich person, with land and property, and could use the slave labor to promote… and increase his standing. He may have owned many slaves; but we know that he did own Onesimus, a slave, maybe a black man, [I am not sure]; but this is not the point; he was a man with a soul; and God loves all of his creation regardless of color or creed. This is the backdrop for our lesson today; but the lesson is not about slavery it is regarding forgiveness. The reason it is so important for you to know the setting is that we must be humble enough to forgive even those people we might consider as being of lesser importance than we are; even our slaves, if we were still owners of slaves. God forbid this evil to continue. The bible specifically states that we are to forgive others; even our enemies.

Philemon was converted earlier under Paul’s preaching and was now a member of the young church which was meeting in his house, as was the custom in those days. Onesimus, his slave, had probably heard him speak well of Paul, and when he decided to run away—he sought Paul’s help; who was a prisoner in Rome at the time. As a prisoner Paul still had the privilege of writing and witnessing and stayed active in his church ministry. Paul befriended Onesimus, witnessed to him and Onesimus became a believer under Paul’s teaching.

Paul convinced Onesimus, now that he was saved; it was his Christian duty to go back to his legal master and settle what ever debt he owed. This letter to Philemon is Paul’s effort to also convince Philemon that as a Christian he must forgive his former slave for running away and for his prior theft of property. Paul states that both have a responsibility to do what is right as relates to the renewing of this partnership and now friendship as brothers in Christ.

It was customary for owners to treat run-away slave harshly and sometimes even cruelly, and it must have taken a great deal of faith on the part of Onesimus to be willing to return to his master voluntarily. It also must have taken much faith on the part of Philemon to believe the glowing report Paul gave regarding this slave that had become a Christian, and wanted to return to his master and make things right. This incident required a mutual faith on the part of both men; and under the circumstances that can be hard to comprehend. Only those of us that know about the forgiving spirit of Jesus Christ will believe it to be both possible and necessary.

Paul starts this letter by stating that he is a prisoner because his affiliation with the Lord and his church; he further states that Timothy is there in Rome with Paul and is a brother in Christ; also that they are writing directly to Philemon whom they consider a dear friend and coworker in the spread of the gospel. Note that Paul salutes Apphia and Archippus [who are probably the wife and son of Philemon] and the members of the body that were meeting in his house. It was necessary for all to know about the conversion of the slave, Onesimus, and to know that he is now a converted soul and a member of the body of Christ; therefore is worthy of the forgiveness being requested. Paul prayed that they would experience the grace and peace of God. Grace represents the unmerited favor that Christ gave us and peace represents the state of total satisfaction and comfort that can come only from the God they serve. Together these two words represent all that is indispensable in the Christian faith in their church family—as well as in our church family today.

I think that it is sad that the telephone and email of today has replaced the letters people once used to communicate personally. I hope the readers of this lesson are among the few left of this vanishing breed of letter writers. I personally have received several personal letters commending me for writing “My Life Story on Raft Creek;” and how they were able to relate to my story. Some have written to thank me for preparing these lessons each week. These personal letters have been a special blessing to me. Hopefully, you will take the time to write to your Christian friends when they are hit with hard times or bad health; or when they have accomplished something notable, especially if they have accepted Christ as their Savior. Your complements are as ointment to a wound; they make the recipient feel good. Paul congratulated Philemon for his care and concern for his Christian friends.

Note that in verses 8 through 11, Paul had always claimed to be God’s spokesman with the right to direct new Christians to do what was right. In this letter he did not direct Philemon to accept Onesimus back as his equal—instead he simply requested that he do so in the name of Christ. Paul said that he would really prefer to keep Onesimus there in Rome to help him, but felt that it was only right to give him up, that he might return to his owner and make things right.

In verse 15, Paul indicates that he believes that it was in God’s plan for the slave to run away from his owner so that he could return in this new capacity as the owner’s coworker in Christ. Remember in another scripture it is stated that “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord….” Then Paul told Philemon “If you considered me as your partner, then you should accept Onesimus as you would me.” Paul even offered to pay anything that Onesimus may owe his owner. This reminds us of the man that found a victim who had been robbed, beaten and left for dead—who rescued him and took him to an inn…instructed the innkeeper to treat him, and care for him and that he would return and pay the bill.

We are reminded that it is not position of prominence, name, or background that makes a Christian our brother; neither does it matter who we are or what position we hold that causes us to be responsible for our brother. We are to befriend others and always forgive because of The One we believe in for our salvation. Always give Jesus Christ credit for any good deed you do. God forbid that I ever write one lesson for personal credit; I pray that my Lord will be praised and glorified, and that some soul may be saved. Please pray that I may remain humble and forgiving and that Christ and others may gain.