Philemon 1:8-16

A Special Request for Onesimus

Knowing Philemon shared out of love for the brethren, Paul made a request. As an apostle, he could have commanded but he set it forth as a plea based upon the love found in the family of God. Philemon had been especially good at demonstrating love for the other members of the body. Paul was a good example of such love himself since he was an old man in bonds for the Lord. Those bonds had given him many opportunities to show love for lost souls by proclaiming the message of salvation (Philemon 1:8-9).

Paul had converted a runaway slave named Onesimus. He had been born into the kingdom of Christ while Paul was in chains (10: John 3:1-7; Romans 6:3-4). Coffman quotes J. B. Lightfoot who said even small offenses committed by slaves could result in scourging, mutilation, crucifixion or being thrown to wild beasts. Naturally, the apostle was pleading that none of those things should happen. Onesimus, whose name ironically means "profitable," had once been useless to Philemon because he had run away. However, he now was profitable to both his master and the apostle (Philemon 1:10-11).

Paul knew Philemon's rights as a slave owner and sent Onesimus back (Colossians 3:22-25; Colossians 4:1). The apostle helped Onesimus realize becoming a Christian meant turning away from all sin. Paul stressed how special this slave had become to him by calling him his own heart. The apostle informed Philemon that Onesimus had been serving him just as his master would have if he had been present. He would have liked to keep him. He could have continued ministering to the apostle while he labored in chains. Yet, he could not do such without the consent of Philemon. He did not want any action to be out of necessity but a freewill offering. After all, God loves a cheerful giver (Philemon 1:12-14; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

Though Paul strongly believed in God's providence, he was unwilling to say positively this was an instance of it in action. It may have been the master was parted from his slave by God for a short time so he could receive him back for the rest of his life. Actually, the word "forever" may even suggest the Christian brotherhood they could enjoy beyond the grave. Onesimus was, at this time, much more than Philemon's slave. He, by the new birth, had become a brother in the Lord to Paul and his master. Now, they knew the master-slave relationship in the flesh because it was recognized as legal by the government. However, that relationship was improved by their both being a part of the Lord's body by acceptance of the Divine decree (Philemon 1:15-16).