Paul’s letter to Philemon

Article for September 7, 2025

Philemon 8–10 8Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.

Paul, who is in prison, most scholars think that this imprisonment is in Rome, and I concur as Paul says he was an “old man” and he was in his late fifties while in prison and was martyred at the age of 60, is writing to Philemon.  This letter that Paul has composed is for the benefit of Onesimus (which means “useful”) whom Paul pseudo (in mind and heart) adopted as a son while in prison with Onesimus.  Scholars write that Onesimus was a slave (doulos (doulos), bondservant (one who is working off a debt)) and may have stolen from his master.  Paul took Him under his wing and nurtured Onesimus in the gospel.  Onesimus if he was not a believer then became a believer because of spending imprisonment with Paul who mentored him in the gospel.

If we look at this in a Christological way we see that Onesimus represents us as we are guilty of sin. As Paul guided Onesimus, Jesus guides us as we spend time with Jesus through the word of God.  We also see that as Paul fathered Onesimus through a pseudo adoption, Jesus procures our real adoption to our Father in heaven.

It is interesting as well that Paul adopts Onesimus while in imprisonment.  Jesus also adopts us in His imprisonment that is Jesus is imprisoned on the cross for our sake of adoption

(Ephesians 1:5).  Also note that Paul who had the authority to command Philemon rather appealed to him as Paul says, “for loves sake”. 

Jesus certainly has the authority to command us but for the sake of love appeals to us to follow Him.  This is the difference in obeying the law and obeying the gospel.  Though each is created by God to love us, He appeals to us to want, through our love for Him, to follow Him.

Philemon 11–14 11(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.

Paul speaks the gospel loudly in this letter to his co-worker Philemon.  Onesimus because of his sin became useless to his master and to all who worked with Paul to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As in sin we are useless but in living a repentant life we become very useful to God and to one another. 

Onesimus learned repentance through Paul and though Onesimus could gain more through staying with Paul, Paul encourages Onesimus to take the next step in his life of repentance.  Go back to those who know you and show them the changes the word of God has accomplished in you.

But for Onesimus to be accepted back it must be not in terms of compulsive action on the part of Philemon and the others with him.  Rather in terms governed want and choice made through free will and forgiveness that Onesimus is accepted back by his peers.  Paul continues to approach Philemon through the means of the grace of the gospel in hopes that Philemon’s understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ will prevail.

Philemon 15–16 15For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Onesimus may have needed to be separated from his master for a while.  We see this as a tool for many who have suffered greatly because of their sin.  Being separated and starting fresh helps one from repeating the actions that some may have influenced them into doing.  And may try and tempt them to sin again.  A fresh start, new acquaintances, better role models, and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ are all means of healing one from the clutches of their sin.  These too build strength to combat temptation.

Paul asks Philemon not to just accept Onesimus back as a slave but to welcomed him as now a brother in Christ Jesus.  This too is gospel and is a means to elevate one out of their excuses to return to their sinful ways.  Jesus gives us the means and the path not to just follow but also to help one another follow as we continue to be a community of saints.  A community of saints is a community that lives to forgive.

Philemon 17–20 17So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

This screams an appeal from our Lord Jesus Christ to each of us.  Paul who is well accepted by all who labor with him to share the gospel asks that they now accept Onesimus as they would him.  Paul even goes to the point to say he will repay, make penitence, for anything Onesimus owes them.  Paul wants to pay the debt of Onesimus even if anyone of them, Paul’s fellow workers, owe Paul anything.

This is Jesus speaking to us.  Jesus is saying I will pay for anything that any sinner owes the law regardless of what the law owes Him.  Jesus will and has paid our dept for our sin and asks His Father in heaven to accept us, that is those gathered through adoption, as He would accept His own begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon 21 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

As Paul is confident in those he is sending Onesimus to, Jesus is even more confident in the one whom He sends us to.  We have a savior, confident in His word and confident in His actions from the cross to the grave to the resurrection.  Jesus Christ is very confident that His Father, which is our Father too, will do all that the Son says and even more.  Salvation has been given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ who invites us to be brothers and sisters in HIM. 

Amen, come Lord Jesus!

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May