Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul and PhilemonSample

Paul’s Agreement: Romans 13:4

Paul did not immediately agree to mediate between Onesimus and Philemon. After all, Onesimus was both an unbeliever and an unprofitable slave, and Philemon was a good, loving man. Philemon had a right to be angry and to discipline Onesimus, and there was no indication that he planned to do this unfairly or unjustly. Philemon would have been within his rights to punish Onesimus. So, if Paul were to defend Onesimus, it would have to be on the basis of mercy. And before he would ask for mercy for Onesimus, he would first have to be persuaded that Onesimus was genuinely repentant.

Paul’s initial reluctance in this matter is admirable. After all, it would be foolish to pardon wrongdoers simply because they are afraid of being punished. Consider in this regard Paul’s words in Romans 13:4 where he spoke of civil rulers in this manner:

He is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer (Romans 13:4).

This same principle applies in many relationships that include authority structures, such as between parents and children, and in the social structure of the first-century Roman Empire, masters and slaves. Godly authority figures carry out appropriate punishments because it is the right thing to do.

And so, it was appropriate and probably typical that when a slave or servant appealed to his master’s friend for help, that friend did not impose upon the master without being sufficiently persuaded that it was the right thing to do.

So, it is safe to assume that Onesimus initially stayed with Paul to convince the apostle of his good intent. And during this time, Paul preached the gospel to Onesimus, and the Holy Spirit brought him to faith in Christ. And since genuine conversion is always accompanied by repentance of sins, it is safe to conclude that Onesimus repented of all his sins that had so angered Philemon. And with his newfound life in Christ, Onesimus became a new man, and dedicated himself to ministering to the apostle in prison. And Paul, in turn, cared deeply for this new child of God, and grew to love him as a son.

Once Onesimus had gained Paul’s favor, it was appropriate that he return to Philemon. So, Onesimus left for Colosse bearing Paul’s letter of advocacy. According to Paul’s letter to Philemon, legally Onesimus might have remained with Paul without becoming a fugitive. But morally this would not have been the best solution. Rather, the Christian values of charity and reconciliation demanded his return to Philemon. The reason for this can be found in Philemon 12-16, where Paul wrote these words:

I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me … But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced… He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord (Philemon 12-16).

Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon because he wanted any gift from Philemon to be voluntary rather than compulsory, and because he wanted Philemon and Onesimus to be reconciled as brothers in Christ.