Philemon

Philemon was a Christian who lived in the town of Colosse. We can glean that he lived in Colosse by comparing this epistle with Paul’s epistle to Colossians. Paul enquires regarding the same people in both the letters (See Colossians 4:17 & Philemon 1:2). Moreover, in Colossians 4:9, Paul calls Onesimus as one of them that is a Colossian. This epistle was written to return that slave Onesimus to his owner, Philemon. The Colosse of that time was situated in present day Turkey, in the beautiful Lycus Valley. Colosse was an important trading city around 5^th century B.C. But, later new trading routes were discovered, owing to which Colosse degenerated into an ordinary town by the first century A.D. Colosse was filled with Greeks when Paul wrote this letter. A significant percentage of Jews also lived there.

(2) Philemon must have been a rich Christian. Because, he had slaves (Philemon 1:15,22). Slave ownership was common practice in the first century. In the cities of that time, scholars estimate that, up to even one third of the population were slaves. The owners had full rights over their slaves. Unless the owner comes forward and releases his slave or either the slave or someone else redeems him or her by paying appropriate money, a slave cannot become free. Some slaves broke this practice by running away from their masters. Such behaviour was considered as a crime. Onesimus had committed such a crime. He had run away from his master, Philemon. We do not know why he chose to run away. Many slave owners were known to treat their slaves badly. May be, Philemon was one such inhumane master. But, since we have Paul commending the good nature of Philemon in this epistle, it is highly unlikely that Philemon was one such tormenting slave owner (Phil 1:4-7). May be Philemon treated Onesimus with gentleness and gave him decent freedom to operate. Onesimus could have exploited the graciousness of Philemon and ran away. Anyway, when on the run, Onesimus meets Paul and through him becomes a follower of Christ. Paul sends back Onesimus to Colosse to reconcile with his master, Philemon. He writes this letter to Philemon, urging him to forgive Onesimus and take him back fully.

(3) Paul writes this letter from prison (Philemon 1:1). Though Paul was jailed on many occasions for the sake of the Gospel, two occasions stand out. Paul was put in prison by the Roman Empire from 58 A.D to 63 A.D and again from 67 A.D to 68 A.D. It appears that Paul was hopeful of getting freed when he wrote this epistle to Philemon (See Philemon 1:11). But, Paul was killed by the Romans, after his imprisonment from 67 A.D to 68 A.D. So, counting that out, scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter between the years 60 A.D to 63 A.D, when he was a prisoner in Rome. Along with this epistle, it appears that Paul sent the epistles he wrote to the Colossian church and Laodicean church also, with his disciple Tychicus (See Colossians 4:7-9,16). This was sensible because Laodicea was near Colosse, at a distance of about 12 miles. While this epistle to Philemon and the one to Colossian Church found a place in the New Testament and hence have survived till now, Paul’s epistle to Laodicean Church got lost in the sands of time. Let us now study this epistle in detail.

(4) Chapter 1 : Verses 1,2,3 – Paul calls himself as a ‘prisoner’ of Jesus. In reality, Paul was in a Roman prison. But, since he was being imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel of Christ, he considered himself as a prisoner of Jesus. Moreover, nothing in our lives happen without God’s permission and hence, Paul’s imprisonment was allowed by Jesus and God for a purpose (Luke 12:5-7). True to that, Paul converted many when he was imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28:23-31). As a matter of fact, ever since his arrest around 58 A.D by Roman authorities in Jerusalem, Paul witnessed the gospel continually, even on his long journey to Rome, to Kings and ordinary men alike (See Acts 23 – 28 Chapters). Moreover, since, Rome was effectively the capital of the world back then, people from all over the world came to Rome. Historical records exist that show that even the Tamil kings of that time had trade contacts with Rome. Hence, Paul’s ministry in Rome benefited people of many nationalities and was instrumental in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. Timothy was also with Paul. Paul calls Philemon as a dear friend and fellow worker. Apphia, most probably was the wife of Philemon. Archippus must have been either the son or a friend of Philemon. We learn from Paul’s epistle to Colossians that this Archippus was involved in spreading the gospel (Colossians 4:17). That is reason for Paul to call him as a ‘fellow soldier’. We too must be soldiers of Christ, by taking part in the gospel ministry (2 Timothy 2:3,4). It appears that one of the churches of Colosse met in the house of Philemon. Paul wishes grace and peace to Philemon, his family and his church.

(5) Verses 4,5,6 – Philemon was faithful and loving to Jesus and also towards the saints. Paul thanked God for that in his prayers. However, he appeals to him that they should be ‘active in sharing’ their faith with others. Only then they will be able to have a ‘full understanding of the every good thing’ they have Christ. What they have is the faith and love, mentioned in the previous verse. They would gain a full understanding of them, only when they start sharing their faith. It is not enough to have faith and love. Every one of us needs to be active in sharing our faith with others. What is the use of proclaiming that we love the people of the world, if we do not back it up by telling them about the one true path to attain eternal life? Our love for others is expressed only by our sharing of the good news of the gospel with them, for even if the good news does not benefit them now, it will benefit them in embracing the truth easier in the coming Kingdom of God (See Grace – Blossom 25:February 10, para 08). Also, in order to confirm our faith too, we need to preach the gospel to others (See Grace – Blossom 24:January 10, para 06). Otherwise, our faith will be dead without works (James 2:17). Hence, no one can lay their hands on the crown of life without actively spreading the truth.

(6) Verse 7 – By helping the saints in many ways, Philemon had refreshed their hearts. Hence, Paul was overjoyed and encouraged by the love exhibited by Philemon. Indeed, it is important to exhibit our brotherly love with concrete deeds. It should not be mere rhetoric. James also testifies that a love that does not help others in their ‘physical needs’ is useless (James 2:16). Specifically, ‘saints’ are especially those who are involved in the holy works of God (See Scripture Study – Blossom 01:February 10, para 05(13)). Hence, it is important that we support and encourage those brethren who are active in the spreading the gospel of Christ.

(7) Verses 8,9 – When Paul wrote this letter, he was advanced in age and was a much respected elder. Also, since he was imprisoned for the sake of Christ, he must have been held in high regard by Christians of his time. Paul could have easily used that good regard towards him and boldly ordered Philemon to do as he wanted. But, Paul does not do that. Instead, trusting in the goodness of Philemon about which Paul had talked about in the previous verses, he appeals to him on the basis of love. This approach of Paul is a great lesson to us. We may be far advanced in age. We may have endured many hardships for the sake of the gospel. Even then, while approaching another brother for some favour or help, we should not do it with a sense of entitlement but with humility and appeal on the basis of love, like Paul. Such an attitude will foster a healthy atmosphere among brethren and increase the chances of the favour or help being sought from the brother.

(8) Verses 10,11 – Philemon’s slave Onesimus who had run away, met Paul when he was in prison and became sonly to Paul as he was brought into the truth through Paul (Philemon 1:15). We saw earlier that Paul was continuing to preach the gospel, when he was in Rome (Acts 28:23-31). Onesimus must have run away to Rome, thinking that he can remain unnoticed amidst the big crowds of the city. Even today, it is common practice for people who run away from smaller towns to head for bigger cities. In Rome, Onesimus must have met Paul and learnt the gospel truth from him. Paul was thus appealing for the sake of his spiritual son to Philemon. The name Onesimus means ‘Useful’ in Greek (Strongs No: 3682). Making use of that, Paul employs word play to make his case for Onesimus to Philemon. He says to Philemon that the man called ‘Useful’ (Onesimus) was previously an useless, disobedient slave to him. But after he accepted Jesus, he has was living up to his name by becoming ‘useful’ to both Paul and Philemon as a brother in Christ.  

(9) Verses 12,13,14 – Paul thus sent that useful Onesimus, who had become his very heart back to Philemon. We all have a solemn duty to help and support the brethren who are actively serving the Lord. Philemon thus had a duty to be of service to Paul who was in chains for the sake of the gospel. Paul thus could have kept Philemon’s slave Onesimus to take Philemon’s place. But, he did not want to do that without the consent of Philemon. It was good that Onesimus was serving the Lord by helping Paul in his ministries. But, even a good thing has to be done properly. That is why Paul sought Philemon’s permission on the basis of love such that the good thing was a spontaneously done favour from Philemon instead of a forced one. In his other epistles, Paul advises slaves to obey their masters (Colossians 3:22, 1 Timothy 6:1). With regards to Onesimus, Paul adheres to his own advises and does not want to keep Onesimus without the express permission of his master. In those times, people who gave shelter to runaway slaves either had to send back the slave to his owner or buy him with money from his owner. Since, Philemon was a good Christian, Paul sends Onesimus back to him with confidence. If the owner of Onesimus had been an unforgiving unbeliever of some sorts, Paul would have tried to buy him. For he says somewhere else that if a slave can gain his freedom (with money ofcourse), he should do so (1 Corinthians 7:21). Paul’s handling of this potentially unpleasant situation with Philemon, teaches us the importance of doing our utmost to not hurt anyone even over good things. Good must be done with appropriateness. That should be our constant endeavour.

(10) Verses 15,16,17 – Onesimus’ separation from Philemon was permitted by God. Before he ran away, Onesimus was just an unbeliever and Philemon’s slave. Only because he ran away, he met Paul and came into the truth, such that he was now ‘better than a slave’, a dear brother to Philemon. Thus, the running away of Onesimus was an act permitted by God who had called him according to his predestined purpose (Romans 8:29,30). Hence, Paul requests Philemon to welcome Onesimus; in the manner he would welcome him. This is amazing to note. Paul, a Jew by birth and a Pharisee by training does not hesitate to make himself equal to a slave, who belonged to the lowest stratum of his society. It bears testimony to the utter disregard he had for ethnic or social differences, after becoming a Christian. We too must never carry with us casteist, creedal, cultural or social prejudices. Christ should be our only identity.

(11) Verses 18,19,20,21 – It was common practice for slaves to steal and run away. In that manner or by any other way, if Onesimus owed anything to Philemon, Paul asks Philemon to charge it on him. Paul assures Philemon that he will pay it back by writing it with his own hand. Usually, Paul dictated his letters to one of his disciples. But, since he was giving assurance of a debt here, he writes that part on his own. However, Paul reminds Philemon that he owes his very self to Paul. This seems to indicate that it was Paul who brought Philemon as well into Christ. But, Paul had not visited Colosse till then (Colossians 2:1). So, most probably, Philemon must have met Paul in the nearby (approximately 100 miles) town of Ephesus. Paul ministered in Ephesus for a long time (Acts 19:10). In fact, some scholars opine that Paul’s letter to Ephesus was also carried along with this epistle by Tychichus. Paul’s willingness to mortgage himself for the sake of Onesimus, highlights the depth of Paul’s brotherly love. Paul says that Philemon’s acceptance of Onesimus would be a refreshing and beneficial thing for him. Paul is hopeful that Philemon will do more than what is being asked of him.

(12) Verses 22,23,24,25 – Many in the Colossian church had not seen Paul in person till then (Colossians 2:1). They were praying to God to see him. Paul says that in answer to their sincere prayers, he hopes to be restored to them. Confident of that, he asks Philemon to prepare a guest room for him to stay. As hoped by him, historically Paul was released from prison, sometime after writing this letter. However, there are no biblical evidences to conclusively show that Paul visited Colosse on his release. But, it is reasonable to conclude that he would have visited the Colossians, as hoped by him. Finally, he conveys the greetings of those who were with him. Epaphras was also in prison along with Paul. He was a prominent preacher of the gospel across the Lycus Valley. Many in the Colossian church had learnt the truth from Epaphras (Colossians 1:7-9). Mark was the one who wrote the gospel of ‘Mark’. He was a relative of Barnabas and travelled a lot with Paul in his journeys (Colossians 4:10). He was also the one who was responsible for the misunderstanding that developed between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37-39). Aristarchus was also in prison alongside Paul (Colossians 4:10). He was a Greek, from the town of Thessalonica (Acts 27:2). He also travelled alongside Paul in his gospel journeys (Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2). Demas was a helper to Paul. May have belonged to Thessalonica. But, he left Paul in the later days, because of his love for the world (2 Timothy 4:10). Luke was the one who wrote the gospel of ‘Luke’ and also the book of ‘Acts’. He was a doctor and did travel a lot with Paul (Colossians 4:14). Paul ends his letter by wishing for the grace of the Lord to remain with them. According to church tradition, as a result of this letter, Philemon released Onesimus completely.

(13) From this epistle, we can understand the depths of brotherly love. Not love with words but like Paul, we should be ready to mortgage ourselves for the sake of brethren. Moreover, we see that Paul tries to rectify a trouble between two Christians. Hence, we too must not stand in the sidelines and be mere spectators when troubles foment among brethren. We should try and broker peace between them on the basis of love. Truly, even Christ has commended peace makers as Sons of God (Matthew 5:9). Some accuse Paul of encouraging the practice of keeping slaves based on his writings on that subject in his various epistles. It is a wrong accusation. It is true that Paul did not advise the slaves to revolt against their masters and throw them out. The reason for that was his belief that Christian love should be the solution for all the ills of society. That is why, he advised the slave owners to be impartial like God and to be just in dealing with their slaves (Colossians 4:1, Ephesians 6:9). Even in this letter, he asks Philemon to accept Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother. Infact, one should not forget that Paul lists ‘Slave traders’ along with sinners (1 Timothy 1:10). Hence, Paul was in no way supportive of the practice of keeping slaves. Instead, by stressing on Christian love, he hoped to change the relationship between a slave and his owner as one based on love. Truly, no one who fully understood Christian love can treat someone inhumanely. Even for the problems of our present day society, Christian love offers the best solution. In the end, when the Kingdom of God, made possible by the love of God, is established, all inequalities and injustices would be rooted out. Amen!

– From the next issue, the book of Jonah will be studied –