Read Philemon

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. ” — Philemon 10–11

This letter from Paul to Philemon is the real life story of the prodigal son that Jesus taught. It has all the same flavors and tones. Onesimus was the prodigal, as it were, and Philemon the father figure.

We learn in the first seven verses that Philemon was a godly man who played a critical role in establishing the church at Colosse, which was hosted in his house (see Philemon 2). It is also possible that Archippus, who appears the be the pastor of the Colossian church, could be his son (see Philemon 2; Colossians 4:17). Philemon is furthermore called a beloved friend to Paul, a laborer for the gospel, a man dedicated to his family, to hospitality, to faith and to love (see Philemon 3-7). Ultimately, Philemon was the fulfillment of his own name which meant brotherly love. But now Paul must appeal to Philemon’s godly character and put it to the test for a man named Onesimus.

Onesimus was one of Philemon’s home servants who had apparently run away, damaged some of Philemon’s estate, and was troublesome. This was in the ancient world a possible capital offense. But God had a different plan. As divine fate would have it, Onesimus ends up shackled in the same prison cell as Paul the Apostle!

Imagine with me, if you will, that you are Onesimus in this specific situation. As you settle into the cold and dark cell to serve your time and await your charges, across from you is an old man who appears to have just finished penning a letter. And next to the old man is another man who is much younger. It wasn’t long before you were confronted with a warm greeting from the old man who said, “Hello there. I’m Paul of Tarsus, and this is Timothy of Lystra.”

Without permission, Paul begins asking you personal questions. You don’t know why, but you trust telling him everything. And before you know it you’re in a full-blown conversation about a Savior named Jesus — the same Jesus that your master Philemon was converted to! As Paul shares the gospel with you and the evidence of Christ’s death and resurrection you become convicted of your sin and how badly you need the salvation Jesus offers. And you call upon the name of the Lord and believe, experiencing forgiveness and peace.

As your conversation continues, you explain your story only to find out that this Paul of Tarsus knows your master Philemon! In fact, Paul converted Philemon to the faith just as he did you! What are the odds? There are no odds in God’s Kingdom, just divine appointments.

You go on to explain that you cannot go back because of what you’ve done. Paul smiles and graciously tells you that he will write a letter to intercede for you, and insists that you to go back and make things right — this is the Christian way — the way Christ has called us to.

Thus, Paul writes his letter to Philemon, and you, Onesimus, are released to accompany one of Paul’s companions named Tychicus back to Colosse. From that day forward your entire life would be different. You were able to go back, but in a completely new relationship to your master. You would be reconciled, not as a servant, but as a brother in Christ — just as Philemon's name suggests.

“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.” (Philemon 15–17)

We see this principle beautifully fulfilled even more so when Paul speaks up for Onesimus in his letter to the Colossian Church:

“I am sending [Tychicus] to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.” (Colossians 4:8–9)

Dear family — we must remember that we are family! We have the ability to intercede for one another, to reconcile with each other, and to be one in the Lord (see Colossians 3:14-15; Matthew 18:15). There are no longer classes of people, but just brothers and sisters. We wrestle against the same enemy, we preach the same gospel, and we have the same hope of eternal life. Under the authority and power of Christ’s redemption we have common ground, and on this ground we should stand!

Let us be, therefore, brothers and sisters.