Philemon
Originally posted October 8, 2008
General Comment: Philemon is
the shortest of Paul's letters. Written in Ephesus ca. 56 CE, the letter is
unique on several levels. It is not written to a church but to a
person, Philemon. He is the leader of a house church or group of house
churches in western Asia Minor within easy traveling distance from Ephesus
where Paul was imprisoned. The occasion of the letter is not related to issues
of division within the communities or external threats of false teaching. It is
a personal letter from Paul to his friend Philemon who owns a slave,
Onesimus, who has fled to Ephesus and placed himself under Paul's charge.
The letter is one of intercession to bring about reconciliation between
slave and master. It is, of course, much more. The letter addresses the issue
of slavery within the Christian community. It also demonstrates Paul's
authority and the deft subtleness of its use to get his way.
Philemon 1-3 Salutation
Paul has been
imprisoned three times: in Ephesus, Caesarea and Rome. Even though he is in
confinement, he is not a prisoner of any government or hostile power; he is the
prisoner of Christ. What he does derives from the divine "must" of
his missionary work among the Gentiles. He can do no other than preach the
Gospel regardless of the cost. This was the same compulsion that drove Jesus
into the wilderness to listen to God's "still small voice" and commit
himself to its direction.
Paul mentions
Timothy, one of his most frequently mentioned co-workers. We are not meant to
understand that he, too, is in confinement. Paul was imprisoned because he was
considered the ring leader or encourager of those charged with disrupting
the peace in Ephesus. As such he would have been confined - the authorities
thought, to deprive others of his leadership, the same reason the Roman
Prefect, Pilate, crucified Jesus. Get rid of the leader and the rabble-rousers
will scatter like so many frightened vermin.
Philemon is both a
"beloved friend and co-worker." He is one who shares his faith with
other Gentiles and apparently has been successful, possibly aided by
his social status. Paul addresses him, Apphia (possibly his wife), Archippus, another
of Paul's team of itinerant evangelists and the church that is in
Philemon's house. The word for church (ecclesia) will not refer to a
building for several centuries. Here it takes its' usual meaning as "the
assembly in your house." There was also a more abstract understanding that
the church was the collection of assemblies in a given area, e.g. the Church at
Jerusalem or Corinth, where a larger number of assemblies constituted the
whole. This concept is demonstrated by denominational names - "The United Methodist Church."
Philemon 4-7 Philemon's Love and Faith
There is a strong
friendship between Paul and Philemon reflected in his thankfulness for
Philemon's faith "toward" Christ and exceptional pastoring of
"all the saints" under his care. We note the uncommon word used to
describe Philemon's faith as "toward" or "with" Christ. The
use of "for Christ" does not do justice to Paul's
thought. This is the same relational word John uses in his prologue,
"and the Word was with (toward) God" (Jhn. 1:1b). It also relates to another of John's words,
"abide" as in "abiding in" describing the mystical
relationship between Christ and God as well as that of believer and Christ.
Paul means to portray the intimacy of Philemon's faith relationship with
Christ. It is because of this relationship that Paul can address the
issue of Onesimus' return to Philemon as other than a slave/master
property negotiation.
Paul commends
Philemon on the sharing of his faith with others at the same time as he prays
for its effectiveness for good on behalf of Christ. He acknowledges what
Philemon has already done for him by way of received joy and
encouragement, - perhaps his support while in prison. He is
particularly thankful for all Philemon has done on behalf of the believers
under his stewardship.
Philemon 8-22 Paul's Plea for Onesimus
If we were prone to
cynicism we might think the previous verses were the "buttering up"
phase before the main issue is addressed. Paul appears to be ingratiating
himself to Philemon, being complimentary before asking for a major concession
from him on the question of Onesimus' status. However, the approach which
follows will show otherwise. Paul's preface is his setting of the basis for
discussion: it will be set within the perspective of Philemon's faith
relationship with/toward Christ.
Of course Paul could
use his authority and command Philemon to "do [his] duty" but he
knows the shortcoming of issuing orders ex cathedra. He would rather make his
appeal on the basis of their shared love for one another and for Christ -
Christ being the common ground upon which both of them stand. He makes his plea
as an old man, now as a "prisoner of Christ Jesus" (Philemon may
find it difficult to refuse such a plea). Paul's appeal is for his "child,
Onesimus." Onesimus has fled to seek refuge with Paul and has been
converted to Christianity. Paul has become his spiritual father and now pleads
for his son. We have no idea what Onesimus has done, if anything, or why he
fled Philemon's control. There is some hint in Paul's play on words:
"Formerly he was useless to
you, but now he is useful both
to you and to me." The Greek word for useful is Onesimus. Onesimus was useless to Philemon - either
because he was a lazy slave or because he had fled to seek freedom. But now
Paul will send him back to Philemon as a Christian slave who will be
"indeed useful."
At this point Paul
has to be concerned about how Philemon will receive his wayward slave. As a
master he could punish him severely and sell him to someone else. Paul is
cautious about that possibility and he makes it clear how dear Onesimus is to
his heart. He wanted Onesimus to stay with him to be of service in Philemon's
place and he could have forced such a situation but he would rather Philemon
voluntarily allow him to stay. It seems to be a no-win situation for Philemon.
If he refuses, he has dishonored an old man - a much adored old man. If he
acquiesces he is out one slave. Paul steps between the two possibilities with
his prepared solution. He implies to Philemon that God's hand can be seen in
this event. Onesimus' coming to Paul has resulted in his conversion. He is not
the same person. When Paul sends him back, Philemon will "have him back
forever," not just as a slave but as "a beloved brother." He
will be a Christian brother in Christ to both Paul and
Philemon. Perhaps this would certainly make the temporary
separation worthwhile.
Paul now "calls
the question." If Philemon really considers Paul to be his partner in
Christ he will welcome Onesimus home just as if he were Paul himself. Paul
offers to compensate Philemon for any loss. He tells him to "charge that
to my account." Of course his "account" - his side of the
ledger, is loaded in his favor. As he writes, "[of course] I say nothing
about [you] owing me your own self!" As if it were necessary at this
point, Paul asks Philemon to "let me have this benefit...in the Lord...and
refresh my heart in Christ." He needs no answer to his appeal. He already
knows Philemon will be obedient to the old man in prison who is as much his
spiritual father as he is for Onesimus. It seems Paul has offered Philemon a
deal he can't refuse.
There is one more,
small request. He hopes to be released from prison soon and plans to
visit with Philemon. He will need a guest room while he is there. On that
visit Paul may well see the fullest expression of what happens when a Christian
master realizes that his slave is his brother in Christ. Perhaps Paul will see
a dream come true, the realization that owning a slave is incompatible with
Christian love.
Philemon 23-25 Final Greeting and Benediction
As always, Paul
sends the greetings of his co-workers to Philemon and the "church in [his]
house." Although we have no way of knowing where this church community is,
those mentioned were probably known to Philemon and other believers.
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