In this series we offer brief introductions to the books of the Bible, including background, authorship, content, and application to the lives of today’s Christians.
Slavery was an accepted part of the social-economic fabric of society in the Roman empire. It wasn’t based on race as much as on a person’s economic situation or being conquered by another nation. God does not forbid slavery, but He definitely has something to say to both slaves and masters.
Paul wrote to the Colossian Christians, “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants [slaves] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 3:22-4:1)
This required further instruction and encouragement for one of the leading members in the church in Colossae. So Paul writes a very personal letter full of tender love and compassion to Philemon. The congregation actually met in his house, so this letter was an important example of pure grace for the whole congregation. This letter was probably delivered at the same time as Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
Midieval illustration of Paul restoring Onesimus to Philemon
Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who had run away. Somehow Onesimus ended up with Paul, who was in prison in Rome. Through that encounter with Paul, Onesimus came to faith in Christ. Paul urged him to return to his master. That was a frightening prospect, for Philemon was understandably angered by Onesimus and, according to Roman law, he had the right to punish him with death. So Paul sent this letter to urge Philemon to receive Onesimus back without punishment, not as a slave but as a brother in the faith.
Read this short letter to Philemon for yourself and see Paul’s marvelous example of true Gospel encouragement and exhortation. Paul handles this delicate situation with compassion, grace, and confidence in the Lord to work a God-pleasing response in Philemon’s heart.
There is another lesson for us all to learn from this epistle. Paul told the Corinthian believers, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) This letter is a prime example of Paul imitating Christ, and so it is a very tender reminder of what Christ has done for us. Paul was interceding for Onesimus in much the same way as Jesus intercedes for us with the Father. Like Onesimus, we were slaves who had run away from our Master, wanting to live our own lives. God is rightly angered and we are deserving of death—eternal death. Yet Jesus urges us to return to God, and He intercedes for us with His Father. Paul even offered to pay any debt that Onesimus owed to Philemon just as Jesus Christ paid the debt of our sins, the penalty of death, in our place. Paul was confident that Philemon would do more than he asked.
God truly has done more than we could imagine. He has received us back with open arms, not as slaves but as sons. Our Father has forgiven us for Christ’s sake and showers us with every blessing. He even gives us a room, not in the slaves’ quarters but in His own home forever. What relief and joy to be received like this! Having received such amazing grace, won’t we now serve our Father faithfully and joyfully?
is pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Vernon, British Columbia.