Articles
The Example of Philemon and Onesimus
An excerpt from an article from a lecture by Ken Weliever - enjoy. Hugh DeLong
The Example of Philemon and Onesimus
Christianity is not just an ideal to be preached, but a life to be lived. The commands to the Colossians and the exhortations to the Ephesians were not idle words, but ideas that work. It is really the way God expected them and us to live and treat one another. In the private letter from Paul to the slave owner Philemon, we have a wonderful example of these principles put into practice.
Onesimus was a slave who had run away from Philemon. It is implied that Onesimus was guilty of being a thief as well (18–19). In his flight to freedom, he ran away to Rome and somehow came in contact with Paul. We won’t speculate how they met. However, in the course of their association, Paul taught Onesimus the gospel and he obeyed it. Evidently Paul and Onesimus became very close, and the runaway slave became a companion and servant of the apostle. Paul would have enjoyed keeping him but refrained from doing so (12). Instead, Paul put into practice what he preached; he sent Onesimus back to Philemon, with each one understanding the duties and obligations that a Christian has in the slave-master relationship.
What Paul did was very risky. As we have noted, the master had total control over the slave. Philemon could have beaten him unmercifully, imprisoned him, made life unbearable for him, or even killed him. Any of those options were available and within his legal right under Roman law. However, Paul appeals to Philemon to take Onesimus back, not just as a slave, but to accept him as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul makes a pun on Onesimus’ name. His name means profitable. Paul said that Onesimus was “unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and me” (11). Now, he is living up to his name—he really is Onesimus!
It is fascinating how Paul appealed to Philemon’s logic, emotions, friendship and Christian duty. It is worth noting that Paul never condemned slavery or asked Philemon to set Onesimus free. Since slavery was an essential part of the ancient world, Paul accepted it and showed how the principles of Christianity could impact social institutions, make men better, and break down barriers that divide people. Truly Paul was illustrating in a real life situation that there is “neither slave or free … for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28)
(Christ and the Church: Studies from Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, Ferrell Jenkins, edit., FC Lectures, lecture by Ken Weliever, Sr.)
