If someone has done you a wrong, and then you are told that they have completely repented and changed their ways, are you willing to forgive them? Sometimes it is difficult to do so, and it may be difficult to believe that they have truly changed, especially if such behavior has been a long pattern with them. What if you were the wrongdoer? You might be afraid to face the person you wronged for fear of some type of punishment. Today’s Scripture, from one of the shortest books of the Bible, addresses these issues. Let’s take a look.
As we begin our Scripture, it is important to get a little bit of background, which will help in understanding what had happened. The Book of Philemon was written by the Apostle Paul. At the time he was a prisoner in Rome for his faith in the Lord Jesus. Philemon was a wealthy gentleman who lived in Colossae, an ancient city in western present-day Turkey. The church of the Colossians met in his home, and he was a leader in that church. The other person involved in this Scripture is Onesimus, a slave of Philemon’s, who had stolen from him and ran away, ending up in Rome and becoming acquainted with Paul. (Slavery was very common in the Roman Empire, and probably the whole world at this time.) Onesimus had likely known of, or been acquainted with Paul when the Apostle was ministering in Colossae at Philemon’s house. When Onesimus heard he was imprisoned there, he came to see him.
It was during one of Onesimus’ probably several visits to Paul, that the Apostle led him to faith in Jesus as his Savior. Onesimus knew that what he had done was wrong, and had repented of it. Both he and Paul knew that he needed to make restitution. However, Onesimus was understandably nervous and afraid to return. The penalties for a runaway slave in the ancient Roman Empire were harsh, including sometimes the death penalty, and in addition to running away, Onesimus had stolen from Philemon. But he knew he had to do what was right.
Paul decided he would send Philemon a personal letter that Onesimus would take with him when he returned. In this letter, Paul commended Philemon’s strong Christian faith (vs. 4-7). He was a pillar in the Colossian church, and he had great love for the believers there and elsewhere. With that in mind, Paul appealed to Philemon to accept Onesimus back with love, rather than with punishment (vs. 8-16). He told him that while Onesimus had been there in Rome, he had led him to salvation in the Lord. Paul could have used his position as an Apostle, and told Philemon that as a Christian and leader of the church there, it was his duty to receive Onesimus back, but he preferred that he do this out of love, not out of duty. He calls for Philemon to forgive and restore Onesimus, thus modeling Christlike love.
Paul then uses a little play on words (vs. 11). The name Onesimus in the Greek means “profitable” or “useful”. Onesimus was really not very profitable for Philemon, as he not only ran away, but he had stolen from him, as well, possibly a large amount, as he would have needed money to travel and then provide for himself while in Rome. However, Paul stated that now that he was a believer he was a new man (II Corinthians 5:17). Onesimus was helpful and useful to Paul while he was in Rome, and that he will be to Philemon if he receives him back with forgiveness and love. Onesimus is not just a returning slave, but is now a beloved brother in the Lord (vs. 16).
The Apostle also offers to pay back whatever Onesimus owed to Philemon (vs. 17-21), even though he reminded Philemon that he was the one who had led him to the Lord, and thus had a spiritual debt. Paul’s willingness to pay that debt reflects the Gospel message. Jesus paid our debt in full. This shows grace in action.
In closing, how can we apply these lessons to our life now in the 21st century? The first is that we need to forgive others just as Jesus forgave us. Even when someone has wronged us, believers are called to extend grace. That is what Paul was instructing Philemon to do for Onesimus. We can also help bring about reconciliation among believers. Paul desired that there be a loving reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus, now that Onesimus was a believer. As Christians we can pray for, and help where we can to bring restoration in relationships. Lastly, we should remember that no one is beyond the reach of the Gospel. It doesn’t matter what the person did, even the worst murderer, serial killer, war criminal, or child abuser, if they sincerely call upon the Lord Jesus as their Savior, they can and will be saved. God’s love has no limits!
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