Today we’re looking at the letter of Philemon. It’s unfortunate that Philemon doesn’t come right after Colossians in our Bible since as Colossians was being delivered, so to was Philemon. It’s almost like 1 & 2 Corinthians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. It would be nice to have all the Colossae correspondence together. Alas, Paul’s letters are organized by length. We’re still in the world of the Colossians but now Paul is addressing the particular relationship of Philemon and his runaway slave Onesimus. Here’s the letter: Philemon
While we could get into the technicalities of Paul’s persuasiveness, or lack of coming out and telling Philemon to free Onesimus that isn’t our focus. Paul is dealing with the difficult interplay between following Christ, and the Roman household. The fact that Onesimus ran away from Philemon is a grave offense in the 1st century Roman world. Philemon has every right to do whatever he wishes to Onesimus if he ever sees him again.
But what complicates all of this is Paul’s relationship with both men, and all of their relationships with Jesus. Paul and Philemon are partners in ministry and many believe Paul converted Philemon to faith in Jesus. After Onesimus runs away from Philemon, he comes into contact with Paul and he too is converted by Paul to faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul stands between these two men, brothers in Christ, and also Master and runaway slave. Paul asks both of them to do something unheard of that neither would have been comfortable with most likely. Paul has Onesimus return to his former master. Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back. What would it mean for Philemon and for the church in Colossae for Philemon to take back a runaway slave without punishment, much less free him? Think of the ridicule, the example he is setting.
What Paul does is incredible. He places himself in between these two dissenting voices and offers to work towards reconciliation. Paul stands in the gap and places his relationship with both Philemon and Onesimus on the line for the sake of living into the work of Christ. Paul tells Philemon to welcome Onesimus as he would welcome him. Paul says he’ll pay back any wrongs Onesimus may owe. Then he reminds Philemon, that indeed his own life in Christ is grace because of what he heard preached by Paul and received from the cross of Christ.
The icing on the cake then is that Paul says, “Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.” I’m coming, Philemon to see how this relationship has worked out and to continue to partner with you in ministry.
What places and relationships is Jesus calling you to stand in the gap and work at reconciliation? How do you recognize your life in Christ as a gift from God and then forward that gift onto others?
Here are our hymn lyrics for our prayer today from “In Christ there is no East or West”
In Christ there is no East or West,
in him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
Join hands, then, people of the faith,
whatever your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
in him meet South and North.
All Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
Grace and Peace to you, Amen.