Philemon

by Rick Smith
(Chapel Hill NC USA)

The Second Prodigal Returns Home

The book of Philemon. One of the most overlooked or missed books of the whole Bible.

There are others books of the Bible is filled with greater truths, yet Philemon is one we can easily identify with and find a personal connection of one running away from the Master finds a homecoming most unexpected.

It was written by Paul about 62 A.D. to a fellow believer named Philemon. Yet unlike other epistles, we learn this letter was sent “special delivery” by the subject of its content and purpose.
Slavery in the days of Rome was a common practice, persons held by involuntary servitude and their very lives depended on the whim and pleasure of their masters. In the Roman Empire, the population of the citizenry was near 100 million; of that number there were about 60 million slaves who served many others.

The circumstances surrounding this letter originated with a man named Onesimus who was a slave, belonging to a wealthy personage, Philemon of Collosse. In Paul’s letter he greets Philemon and his family; Paul recounts their conversion and efforts in the cause of Christ. Philemon was well known by Paul, from the writing, Paul had visited Philemon and accepted support from him during his missionary journeys. As slaves were mere property, Onesimus found an opportunity of escape his bondage and flee to the megalopolis of Rome. Seeking to disappear into the city, Onesimus came across Paul and Timothy preaching the gospel in Rome. No doubt Onesimus had heard the gospel of Jesus when still in his master’s home in Collosse during Paul’s visits.

While in Rome, Onesimus accepted Christ. From this point we find a change of heart in Onesimus as he told Paul of his plight as a runaway slave. Paul in his unmatched skill as a speaker and writer, sought to reunite the “slave and his master” yet now on a level of equality as sons of God and believers in Christ.


Paul writes to Philemon, he describes himself as a “prisoner of Jesus Christ,” often Paul spoke of being a “slave” to the cause of Christ; the message; there is one true Master to which everyone must one day submit in the person of Jesus Christ. As Paul continued in defense of Onesimus, he presented incentives to urge Philemon to accept the return of Onesimus to the household.

Onesimus, in the Greek means “profitable”. Here Paul in his literary ingenuity creates a pun using the slave’s name and his value to Philemon. Before Onesimus ran away, profitable or not he was unprofitable to Philemon, yet he now returns as a beloved brother in Christ; Onesimus truly becomes a valuable asset to Philemon. While still a slave by the laws of the Empire, in love and grace through Christ, Philemon can accept him back into his presence. Paul implores Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul himself with joy and love.

In closing, Paul’s reference is a clear example of what Christ has done for us. Paul told Philemon, “If he has wronged thee or owe thee anything, put that on mine account. I will repay.” Paul’s petition to Philemon is representative of our position as sinners, realizing our need and desire to return to God. Christ’s love for us was expressed in His sacrifice and supplications to God of on our behalf. “If he hath wronged thee or owe anything, put it on my account I will repay.”

Christ took our place in death and gave us His life; He took our hell and gave us His heaven. As one without sin, Jesus took to himself our transgressions that it might be counted as righteousness for us in the sight of the Father. By Christ’s love the once slave is retuned to the Master and received “into the beloved” without blemish or stain, by His stripes, we are healed.

What a love, what a grace, what a savior.