Lessons in Christian Reconciliation in Philemon

 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION

By Ezekiel Kimosop

The letter of Philemon is one of the shortest Letters of the New Testament Scripture. 

It is centred on Paul's reconciliation effort under a domestic conflict pitting Philemon, one of his converts who happened to be a close ministry associate and Christian elder in the Church of Colossae on the one part and his runaway slave Onesimus on the other.

Onesimus ran away from his master Philemon under undisclosed circumstances and traveled a whopping 1200 miles to Rome to meet Paul. He had possibly stolen from his master or was unfaithful in some other serious way. 

Onesimus was aware of the consequences of his unfaithfulness. In ancient Europe, slaves could be severely punished by their masters if they violated their obligations to their masters. They were personal property with little or no rights. It is estimated that nine in every ten people in first century Europe and Asia Minor were slaves!

Onesimus was familiar with the apostle Paul because his missionary journeys led him to Colossae where he founded the Colossian church and often lodged at Philemon's place (cf. Philemon 1:20-21).

Paul was later arrested and locked up in a Roman prison for preaching the Gospel. There's no evidence from the letter that Onesmus was imprisoned for his crime.

Having met Paul, and perhaps shared his problems with him, Onesimus was transformed by the Gospel that Paul proclaimed to him and he accepted Christ. 

This letter also confirms that Paul had some degree of liberty in prison. He could receive visitors and send letters to the churches. 

Paul decided to commend Onesimus back to his master Philemon, asking him to accept Onesimus now that he was remorseful and reformed in heart and would be useful to him.

We cannot tell for sure if Philemon took back his runaway slave but given Onesimus' subsequent mention elsewhere alongside Christian leaders (Colossians 4:9) (assuming it was the same Onesimus) and his special relationship with Paul, we are led to believe that Paul's plea to Philemon was heeded. 

Paul looked forward to his freedom and asked Philemon to prepare him a place to lodge. He possibly intended to follow up on the issue or was simply looking forward to passing by Colossae to check on the brethren there on his way to Ephesus which was 100 miles from Colossae. 

Onesimus was possibly the bearer of both  the Letter of Philemon and the Letter to the Colossians. Some scholars say Onesimus went on to serve as a Christian elder and Bishop in Ephesus long after Paul was matyred. 

What can we learn from the Letter of Philemon?

This short letter speaks to Christian forgiveness and reconciliation in the light of what God in Christ accomplished for us at the cross. Forgiveness renews relationships, heals spiritual and emotional wounds and advances the Gospel. 

It also undecores our Christian responsibility in reconciling men to God on Christ's behalf and to one another in Christ. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:20 "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God."

Shalom.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020