Philemon is another example in which Paul writes to a specific and narrow audience to address a specific issue, but there are some things we can learn and apply broadly.
It is actually a short letter. Paul is writing to a fellow brother in Yeshua. Paul starts his letter in a very positive and encouraging manner, and I think he is being genuine. I don’t think he is simply “buttering up Philemon” to get him in a good mood before addressing the main topic of his letter. How often might we jump right into a request or rebuke without first really sharing how much we appreciate our fellow brother or sister in Yeshua? I am definitely guilty of this and need to improve. I want to jump in and get right to the business at hand. This diminishes fellowship and unity rather than enhancing it as Paul does in his letter here.
The main intent of Paul’s letter appears to be to intercede on behalf of an escaped slave who has become a follower of Yeshua. Paul highlights how Onesimus can now truly be more than just a slave and is more valuable a companion and helper than ever before. He asks for any debts to be put on his account, which I take to mean that he is asking they be forgiven in recognition of what Paul has already done in bringing the message of Yeshua to the others.
Paul did not have to intercede. He wanted to. Paul did not allow Onesimus to take the easy road and just remain a runaway. He sent Onesimus back to face his master and ask forgiveness and to be accepted back.
This is actually a picture of our relationship with our heavenly Father to a point. We too are bondservants who are supposed to be serving the Lord. We often stray and do our own things, live our own way. We were not righteous in straying, but one who was more righteous than we (Yeshua – who was totally righteous) has interceded on our behalf and instructed us to return to the Father and ask for forgiveness and grace and to be accepted now as more than a servant, though still to serve.
I can imagine Onesimus may have been intimidated or scared to return. Sometimes we may feel intimidated to return to the Father when we know we did what was wrong in his eyes. It may seem easier to simply keep moving away from him, trying to hide. However, the only way to peace and forgiveness and a fresh start is to return with humility and repentance and trust in his grace and mercy and in the name of the one who intercedes for us, Yeshua.
What a powerful metaphor in this letter to our own relationship returning to the Father!
Salutation
1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon’s Love and Faith
4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man
10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. 15For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16no 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.
17If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
22At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.