There is always something special about getting a personal note. It is as if all of a sudden, we are “seen”, we are being “acknowledged”. With a personal note we are set apart, not to be mixed with the masses and that hits differently. The letter of Paul to Philemon was certainly no different. It was not a letter to everyone, it was to Philemon and all that belonged to him, very personal. There are not many people that Paul singled out in this way by writing them individual letters. This would have certainly increased the value and appreciation that Philemon felt when this letter was received. I would not be surprised if Philemon was the only brother who is not a missionary or a pastor of some sort that Paul individually writes too.
The letter to Philemon was probably written at the same time the letter to the Colossians church was. It is believed that these two letters were sent together by Tychicus. Philemon was a wealthy man who belonged to the church of Colossae. He was a good man and a good Christian. He was generous and supported the church of Colossae in palpable ways. In fact, the church of Colossae met in his home. His faith in the Lord Jesus showed and his love for the saints was evident. Paul recognises that in his letter and thanks him for it (Philemon: 4). The reason Paul specifically writes to Philemon is for a personal favour, a plea for a fellow brother and son, Onesimus. As we have previously established, whenever you receive a personal mail, you are always more inclined to take it to heart. That was certainly Paul’s hope in writing the letter.
Paul’s letter is very strategic from the beginning to the end. He wastes no words. He first introduces himself as a “prisoner of Christ Jesus”. This is the first time Paul opens a letter with this identification. Usually, Paul’s letters will start by stating the fact that he is an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ by the will of God. But this time around, Paul, because he is speaking to one particular man and wants to bring his point across introduces himself as a prisoner. I believe Paul was establishing the relationship of master and slave to help Philemon understand that he too was a slave and knew what it was like to work under a master. Up to this point, I am certain Philemon still did not understand where Paul was going with this introduction but that changed when Paul introduced the reason for his letter, the plea for Onesimus.
Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who is thought to have fled from Philemon. The reason for his fleeing is unknown to us but I doubt hard to guess, after all who wants to be a slave? At the same time, it would appear that Onesimus didn’t flee in good standing, it is possible that he took something from his master before fleeing which would have enraged his master doubly. Along the way in his “freedom” journey, Onesimus believed Christ, and his life was changed; he was set free by Christ. He became so dear to Paul and very resourceful to him that Paul decided to plead for his earthly freedom. What I like with Paul’s approach is that when he realised who Onesimus was, he decided that it was high time to amend what had been done and fix things. Paul recognised that Onesimus had not acted well by fleeing and possibly stealing, and that is why he was ready to send him back to his master. At the same time, Paul did not want Onesimus to go back to his master as a slave man but rather as a true free man, one that had been freed by the blood of Jesus. That is why, in his letter, Paul pleads with Philemon to welcome Onesimus as a man and a brother and not as a former slave. Onesimus’ new identity is the one spoken of repeatedly in the letter. Paul does not instruct Philemon to do anything specific, such as give Onesimus his freedom, no, he wants Philemon to arrive at that conclusion himself but he subtly suggests it when he says “confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask (verse 21)”. This letter to Philemon also shows that as Christians, we ought to do what is right even if it is going to be painful. Onesimus had to go back to his master because according to the law, he still belonged to his master; he had not obtained his freedom lawfully. Moreover, Onesimus had to write the wrong that he did, and Paul made sure of that. Similarly, Philemon, had to forgive. As he initially listened to the letter of Paul to the Colossians, I believe he did not really think what Paul said about forgiveness, and humility applied to him (Colossians 3:13). He probably didn’t think he had issues in those areas until Paul asked of him what seemed too much (accepting his former slave as man and brother). I suppose we too can relate right? For example, whenever something is preached from the pulpit, our instincts are always to take it as if it didn’t apply to us and think of others who might need to change. We are very quick to see the sin and fault in our friends and fellow brethren that we fail to see our own. Yet, Christ called us to always look at the beam in one’s eyes before checking the speck that is in our brother’s eye (Luke 6:41). I believe Paul’s letter to Philemon hit home, he realised his sin and forgave Onesimus for his sins. Not only that, I believe, Philemon set Onesimus free in man’s eyes because he too had been set free in Christ.
In his plea, Paul did what Christ did for us on the cross. Pleading before the Father for sinners like us to have a place at the table in the kingdom of God. What is beautiful is the passion with which Paul pleaded, he used everything he had to ensure Philemon understood his plea and was not coerced into granting it. I pray we be like Paul, ready to defend and plead for the vulnerable as he did for Onesimus.
A Word Aptly Spoken 