Philemon Day 10 Purposed Pain: Digging Deeper
February 24, 2023
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Philemon 1:14-16
The Original Intent
1) How were Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus connected? (verses 14-15)
This letter was more than likely written while Paul was imprisoned. Some sources say it was more likely house arrest than an actual prison cell, allowing Paul to have visitors more easily. It is believed Paul first met Philemon while preaching in Ephesus.
Philemon was a leader in Colossae and was converted to Christianity by Paul. Onesimus was Philemon’s slave who escaped and fled to Rome where he met Paul. (Enduring Word) Some sources cite he had also committed an act of theft.
We don’t know for certain if Onesimus already knew Paul or just encountered him in Rome, but we know he was converted by Paul. (Got Questions) Since Paul converted both men, he considered them both “brothers” and “sons” in Christ. Because he also considered Philemon his dear friend (verse 1), he didn’t want to make decisions about Onesimus without discussing it with his friend, which is the purpose of this letter.
The Everyday Application
1) How were Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus connected? (verses 14-15)
Maybe you’ve never encountered a runaway while sitting under house arrest. Or perhaps the Lord hasn’t called you into a teaching ministry as He did with Paul. Regardless, God has you where you are for a distinct purpose.
You may think your role in His Kingdom is small, but it’s not dear sister. Paul encountered Philemon in a completely different territory than he lived. Philemon heard the Gospel and then believed in Christ. Your influence matters. Who you encounter day to day matters. Where you plant seeds for Christ matters. By holding steadfast in your personal walk with Jesus and how you carry yourself, yes even on bad days, you are noticed by your neighbors, co-workers, family, and your fellow church goers.
Your ripple effect really does have an impact. Even when the struggles of life weigh on you, be assured that your connections, conversations, and convictions plant seeds, just as Paul’s did for one runaway slave turned brother in Christ!
The Original Intent
2) Was Onesimus still a slave after conversion? (verses 15-16)
Becoming a Christ follower in the 1st century generally didn’t stop your earthly obligations. We don’t really know for certain if Paul’s desire was for Onesimus to be manumitted (set free) by Philemon. Regardless, it was not in Paul’s authority to issue that edict.
What we do see is that Paul doesn’t excuse Onesimus’ behavior. Paul shows Philemon that perhaps there was a greater plan of Divine orchestration working behind the scenes for Onesimus, even as he chose to rebelliously run away. “For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time”. (verse 15)
Onesimus was still Philemon’s slave, but he was no longer a slave to sin. Christ had granted his soul freedom. According to Enduring Word, “Paul “re-introduced” Onesimus to Philemon; not as a slave, but as a brother. In this relationship as brothers and not slaves, Paul effectively abolished the sting of the “master-slave” relationship.”
Though by law Onesimus was still a slave, Paul no longer considered him as such and encouraged Philemon to also see him as a brother and not property.
The Everyday Application
2) Was Onesimus still a slave after conversion? (verses 15-16)
Once we become a Christ follower it doesn’t diminish or remove our position in life, rather, now we have a fuller purpose to live within it! With new life in Christ, we absolutely must denounce and turn away from any sinful lifestyle we have lived and sinful activities we have participated in. If this includes our work, we must trust the Lord to provide work that honors Him.
But Christ’s transformation within does not release us from our secular, legitimate occupations and responsibilities without. We can’t simply walk out of a job we may dislike because we now trust and follow God. In fact, the Bible tells us, “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:13) Our relationship with our employer may change as we understand their need for a Savior, just as we had. Christ may re-shape how we view our position at work through the lens of Christ.
We have more at stake to perform our job while fulfilling our role for the glory of Christ! (1 Timothy 6:2), (1 Corinthians 10:31)
The Original Intent
3) How would the first century have understood the phrase “more than a slave” given their cultural context? (verse 16)
Bondservants in the 1st century were indentured servants. They were not necessarily treated as chattel, like slavery in the United States or even the Israelites as slaves in Egypt. In Roman law, slavery was a permanent position of servanthood.
According to Biblicalcyclopedia, “…notwithstanding all the barbarous cruelties of Roman slavery, it had one decided advantage over that which was introduced in modern times into European colonies — both law and custom being decidedly favorable to the freedom of the slave.” So perhaps they would have been thinking about Onesimus being set free to be “more than a slave”.
Paul viewed his now-freed-from-sin-self as “all in” for the cause of Christ; a different kind of slavery altogether. (Galatians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 7:22) There were also people in the Old Testament who considered their lives enslaved to the Life of God. Joseph knew God and nothing would sway him from his trust in God’s faithfulness. Esther didn’t waiver though faced with her death and genocide of her people, but acted as the Lord’s slave, wholly devoted to Jehovah.
Paul’s cultural terminology advocated for this perspective: “Regardless of economic, social and cultural context – followers of Christ have the opportunity to share the love of God by their changed lives – by faithful, submissive, humble obedience.” (Alliance Bible Fellowship) Choosing slavery to Christ and whole life surrender to His lordship is far more desirable than any other role available to humanity.
The Everyday Application
3) How would the first century have understood the phrase “more than a slave” given their cultural context? (verse 16)
Becoming a slave, even a slave to Christ, doesn’t sound appealing to our modern, Western ears. We immediately associate slavery with negative connotations such as chattel slavery, or abuse of persons.
Indenturing yourself to someone historically meant serving them wholeheartedly, usually with the promise of freedom at some point as well as finances. (Alliance Bible Fellowship) Paul’s perspective on serving Christ as His slave was the most wonderful role to live out in life. Nothing would separate him from being so closely aligned with Christ and Kingdom work.
Would you say you share Paul’s sentiments? Are you “all in” for Christ’s Kingdom? I’d like to think I am. While we don’t know everyone’s story, those of us in the western hemisphere probably haven’t faced hardships to make us question how far “in” we truly are in surrendering to Jesus. But those hurts, slights, and moments of being asked to serve the Lord Jesus outside of our comfort zone can cause us to consider just how close we want to be to Jesus.
Let us determine to be like Paul, serving the Lord and interacting with others as brothers and sisters in Christ, freely submitting to Christ as His slave.
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