Going Back Home
The book of Philemon is one of Paul’s shortest letters. It was a letter to Philemon, a member of the church, and also a rich man who had slaves. One of Philemon’s slaves had run away and had met Paul. The slave’s name was Onesimus. Onesimus had met Paul and coincidentally had gotten born again, and he now believed in God. Slaves who had run away from their masters were killed as punishment. In this letter, Paul beseeches Philemon to spare the life of Onesimus and accept him as a brother in Christ despite his past condition. Paul explains, “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.” (New International Version, Philem. 1.16). Paul’s letter speaks of forgiveness of Philemon to his slave Onesimus.
In the letter, Paul is cautious with his words. He starts by thanking Philemon for being supportive of the ministry and carrying on the good work of spreading the gospel. Paul then introduces Onesimus and how out of respect, felt it best to let Philemon know Onesimus was with him. “I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary” (Philem. 1.13-14). Philemon is at this moment faced with the task of not only forgiving a slave who ran away but also to accept him back now as a brother in Christ and to forgive him. Paul, at this moment seen to be a completely changed person who no longer enjoys persecuting Christians but lives in the ways of Christianity. He is spreading the gospel by all means and reaching out to more people with the good news. In this letter, Paul has concentrated on forgiveness to those who might not even deserve forgiveness.
Work Cited
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.