Philemon, Day 2
Reconciliation 101 (Philemon 8 – 22)
As parents, we are responsible for coaching our children to do the right thing. We step into the “university of choices” with them and leverage strategic situations as opportunities for growth. This education may take some convincing, cajoling, patience, and compassion, but the ultimate goal is for our children to learn how to make choices that reflect a heart for God — a heart that sees people as Jesus sees them in every situation and responds with integrity seasoned with grace and truth, living lives of personal holiness in relationship with God.
In our passage for today, Paul expresses to Philemon his respect for the position he will be put in from Paul’s next subject in the letter. Philemon would have to make a decision that would have two different outcomes: one choice, driven by the law, would mean harsh retribution (even the possibility of death), or a choice from the heart driven by grace that would lead to reconciliation (freedom).
In this part of the letter, Paul is making an appeal for Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, who had found Christ under Paul’s ministry and was sent home by him to make amends with his master (Verses 10 – 12). Paul’s affection for Onesimus is so evident, and his respect for Philemon cannot be questioned. However, Paul is stepping into some deep ethical weeds, when you consider the culture and laws of the time, with each word he writes. After restating his respect for Philemon’s decision concerning how to handle the issue at hand (Verses 13 – 14), Paul shares with Philemon his perspective of the providence and purpose of God in this critical season of Philemon’s and Onesimus’ relationship:
“For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 15 – 16).
Onesimus “was lost, but now he was found.” Onesimus was “useless” but now he is “useful,” not only to Philemon, but also to Paul. Onemisus’ name means “useful,” so his transformation led to his true calling as a useful servant of Christ. He was now a “beloved brother” in Christ. He was a new partner in the Gospel mission with Philemon and Paul!
Paul finishes out this section of the letter with a “big ask.” So, if we are in this together — “partnership” — choose to embrace Onesimus as you would me if I were there. Charge his debts to my account, and I promise to repay you all that is due. Paul reinforces Onesimus’ calling in Philemon’s life from now on, being useful (a benefit) to the church and the mission. Paul ends the letter by stating his desire to visit, and his confidence that Philemon will make the right choice, even going beyond Paul’s expectations.
So what happened next? We are given some possible insight by one of the early church fathers, Ignatius, about the decision Philemon made. Fifty years after the letter arrived in Colossae, Ignatius writes about “Onesimus as the bishop of Ephesus.”1 We will not know for sure until we get to heaven if this is the case, but if Ignatius is indeed identifying the former runaway slave as a major leader in the early church, it points to one of the best stories of reconciliation and redemption in all of Scripture.
This passage gives us insight into our responsibility when we engage in reconciliation with those who have wronged us. Paul lays out our responsibilities to forgive, reconcile (which takes both parties seeking unity), and join in the journey together. What a great story to tell our kids and grandkids as they journey through the perils of relationships gone wrong!
Pastor Chuck
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The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1976), p. 537.