THE BOOK OF PHILEMON

Philemon  |fəˈlēmən| a book of the New Testament, an epistle of St. Paul to a well-to-do Christian living probably at Colossae in Phrygia.

This book of the Bible is a letter written to a man named Philemon from the Apostle Paul in AD 60-61 from his prison cell in Rome. 

Philemon was a new convert and church leader who had been a slaveowner of a man named Onesimus. We don’t know why, but Onesimus ran away from Philemon and somehow came in contact with Paul, who led the runaway slave to FAITH in Jesus while in prison. 

After discipling Onesimus and becoming his friend and" father in the faith,” Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with this letter: 

“I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison… I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News… It seems Onesimus ran away for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me… So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!” Philemon 1:10-17

Haha! You have to love the bribe and slight manipulation Paul uses to remind Philemon to treat his fellow brother in Christ with kindness, forgiveness, love, and mercy. 

This book of the Bible is short, with only one simple chapter. But the call to live in generosity and kindness toward others is clear.

Paul was creating an atmosphere of forgiveness and unity in the body of Christ. Even though there was likely wrong on both Philemon and Onesimus’ sides—Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon, protecting him with his own name. 

It would have been scary to go back to an old boss that you ran away from. Imagine how angry your boss would be if you just didn’t go in to work one day and made your coworkers pick up the slack. Philemon probably had good reason to be upset with Onesimus for leaving the way he did. But I love how Paul reminds Philemon of the grace and kindness we are to display for our Christian brothers and sisters—completely covering his offense. 

“I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.” Philemon 1:6 

And that’s my prayer for you and me. That we would lay aside our offenses, forgive one another, and choose to live in kindness, generosity, and love—today and always. 

That’s the kind of life we are called to live. 

XO- 

Sabrina