James H. Cagle
“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: . . . If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on my account” (Philemon 10, 17 KJV).
The book of Philemon is a personal letter written to a private citizen by that name, who became a Christian through Paul’s preaching, and was, with other believers holding worship services in his house. He and his wife Apphia had a son Archippus who had a ministry at Laodicea (Col. 4: 15-17).
Philemon was a man of wealth, who had distinguished himself by deeds of charity and his zeal in spreading the gospel. Onesimus was a house-slave of Philemon who had robbed Philemon before running away to Rome.
Onesimus by an act of providence came upon Paul and was converted to Christianity. Onesimus then helped Paul in his ministry. But Onesimus and Paul knew that the wrong Onesimus had done to Philemon must be righted. Paul then writes this personal letter of intercession to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, and sends him back to Philemon.
According to Roman law, Philemon could put Onesimus to death by crucifixion. But Paul hopes that Philemon, being the Christian that he is, will instead restore Onesimus and treat him like the brother in Christ that he has become since he ran away.
Instead of exercising his apostolic authority and settling the whole matter himself, Paul puts it into the hands of Philemon and lets the decision be his. Paul does appeal to him to act out of love for Onesimus who is now a brother in Christ. Paul asks him to consider his old age, and that he is a prisoner for the gospel in Rome. Paul also reminds Philemon that he is a Christian because of Paul’s ministry, and therefore is indebted to him. Paul also declares that Onesimus who was before an unprofitable servant would now because of his new life in Christ be a profitable or hard working servant. Finally, Paul says that whatever Onesimus stole from him he would repay it personally and that Philemon is to accept Onesimus in the same way he would accept Paul.
It is said by Ignatius that Philemon freed Onesimus, and then sent him back to help Paul, and that Onesimus became a minister and later the pastor of the church at Ephesus.
This letter also portrays the story of redemption. The sinner is Onesimus running from God who meets Jesus and is saved. Jesus pays his sin debt, or has it imputed to Him, and imputes His righteousness to the sinner to where he is forgiven and received by the Father as Christ would be received, and is then set free to serve.
