Philemon

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In this very short epistle, we have St. Paul asking Philemon to do the unthinkable: to receive back, with kindness and full forgiveness, Onesimos, his runaway slave, who has meanwhile become a fellow Christian. Three times in a mere 25 verses, St. Paul identifies himself with Onesimos by calling himself “a prisoner” of Jesus Christ. He hints that, just as he is returning Onesimos to Philemon, Philemon ought to return him to St. Paul. In v. 6 he points out that doing the right thing will benefit Philemon, as well. And at the end, the best part for Philemon (or worst part, if he does not intend to comply): “Prepare a guest room for me.” !

But before I say what I think is the coolest thing about this story, here’s the entire, short but beautiful, charming letter:

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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon's Love and Faith

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the communion of your faith may be exercised unto full knowledge of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-- 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 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.

Philemon's Obedience Encouraged

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Farewell

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.


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Okay, here’s the really interesting part of the story: we don’t know how it ends! We have to supply the ending ourselves, unless anybody knows of any tradition about this.

So I choose to believe Philemon did accept Onesimos with kindness and forgiveness, and perhaps even sent him back to serve St. Paul in prison. This is sheer speculation, but I think there is some bit of evidence to support this hypothesis; namely, that this private letter became public. Would Philemon have shared it with anybody else if he had decided to go against the Apostle’s wishes? Hardly! I think he showed it to everybody. I think he said, “Let me read you this, from the great Paul! This has made me weep, this has made me dance! Glory to God!”