6/6/10 Titus 3 & Philemon
The Appeal
(Phm 9)9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
Philemon is a short letter with just 25 verse to a wealthy man named Philemon. Apparently, Philemon was a wealthy business man who was committed to Christ and his church. Philemon had slaves and within the Roman culture of the time it was appropriate and ethical. We must remember as Americans that not every form of slavery through the centuries has been brutal, cruel, and unjust. Either way Onesimus one of his slaves ran away and journeyed to Rome where Paul was imprison. To make a journey from Asia Minor to Rome would take some finances and Onesimus probably stole from his master upon his running away.
Paul’s appeal to Philemon is to welcome back Onesimus the runaway slave and to regard him as a brother in Christ and no longer consider him as a slave. Some way or another Onesimus and Paul crossed paths and Paul either led Onesimus to Christ or certainly had time to disciple him. Paul was also appealing that Philemon did not use Roman law, but Christian love as the standard for making right what had been a wrong on Onesimus’ part.
Paul’s appeal is also an act of humility. Paul had the clout and respect of Philemon that he could have demanded how Onesimus was to be received, but instead he appeals through humility and that it is ultimately Philemon’s choice as to how he handles the situation.
There are a couple of things that we can learn as we consider this letter. First, all relationships are important and deserve to be handled graciously. Philemon was a businessman and a slave owner and was there anything in his treatment of Onesimus that caused him to runaway? The scriptures do not say and anything beyond this possibility is only conjecture. Also the older apostle does not demand what Philemon must do upon the return of Onesimus, but rather he graciously makes a request. The Scriptures do not tells us what took place at the return of Onesimus, but some believe that Philemon did what Paul requested and that Onesimus went on to become a pastor in Ephesus based on some letters which Ignatius an, early church father, had sent to the city of Ephesus.
Secondly, when we are wronged and defrauded that best course of action is necessarily recompense and repayment. There may be times when the circumstance demands that we suffer loss on our own account for the benefit of another or others. After all did not Christ display this for all mankind? It also follows a principle that Paul uses in the book of Corinthians when the wealthy were manipulating the court system to defraud and take advantage of the less fortunate. (1 Co 6:7)7Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
Let us each remember how we handle our relationships and our rights can advance the gospel.
Prayer: Father you are glorious and mighty. Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit transform me to be a person who is motivated in every relationship by the love of Christ. Additionally, transform my heart to be a person who does not demand my rights but appeals to You when my rights are violated trusting that you will bring about justice in your own timing, in Jesus name. Amen.