Paul
gave reasons why Philemon should forgive Onesimus and take him back, in verses
8-9. Here he began by talking about his commission as an apostle of the Lord.
He reasoned that as an apostle he had the right to courageously tell Philemon
what he ought to do. But he chose not to and would rather appeal to his sense
of love, since he was a loving man. In his appeal to arouse Philemon’s
sympathy, Paul urged him to consider the fact of his age and also the fact that
he was now in prison for Christ.
He
gave three rationales why Philemon should take Onesimus back. Firstly in verse
10, he called Onesimus “… my child,” suggesting that he had become a believer. The
runaway slave sought Paul, who became instrumental for his faith in Christ.
Secondly, in verse 11, he implied that Onesimus was now a transformed person.
Although he was “… formerly useless to you, but now is useful both to you and
to me.” Thirdly, in verses 12-13, Paul told Philemon that he would very much
like to keep Onesimus, implying that the runaway slave was very dear to him.
Onesimus had faithfully ministered to Paul while with him in prison. He wanted Philemon
to know that to send him back to the master now, was like tearing off a piece
of his own heart. Paul would very much want to keep Onesimus with him in his
imprisonment. He reckoned that the slave could minister to him on the behalf of
his master, Philemon. However, he would rather not do so without Philemon’s approval,
because he did not want the arrangement to be done out of compulsion. He
preferred it to come from the free will of Philemon. With that, Paul called for
reconciliation and restoration. He petitioned to Philemon to look at the
situation as the divine providence of God. The reason for his temporary
separation with Onesimus was so that he could have him back forever, not as a
slave but more than a slave, and a beloved brother in the Lord. Philemon can
have Onesimus as a slave in the natural realm and a brother in the spiritual
realm.
In
verses 17-18, Paul wanted to ensure that Philemon would accept Onesimus, so he
implied that if Philemon considered him a partner, he should accept Onesimus as
he would accept Paul. Knowing that restitution must accompany restoration, Paul
offered to pay on Onesimus’ behalf. He told Philemon to charge to him what the
slave had owed him.
All
along Paul had dictated his letter to a scribe who would write it for him. Now, in verse 19, he wrote a postscript note to Philemon. He said to him, “I, Paul am
writing this with my own hand, I will repay it.” Mindful of the fact that he
was responsible for Philemon’s conversion, he then went on to remind Philemon
that he owed him his life. He then asked Philemon to cheer him in the Lord by
granting the request he was making. Having
made his case for Onesimus, Paul in verse 21 told Philemon that he was
confident that the latter would know what to do. In fact, he was sure that he
would do even more than he had requested. He also asked for a place to be prepared
for him, and to pray that he will be able to visit him. Paul then sent the
closing greetings attaching five names, Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and
Luke with it. With that he gave the closing benediction, saying, “The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”
From uselessness to usefulness, that’s the result of encountering God. Onesimus’ end would be miserable and wretched if not for the grace of God. Like him we all have a story to tell only because grace caught up with us, and with mercy God rewrote our lives. So let us live to tell the story of how His love has transformed us!
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