Onesimus, the runaway slave that ran into the arms of Jesus Christ through the Apostle Paul

Philemon 1:8-25

The situation of Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, is an excellent example of applying the parable that Jesus spoke about the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32

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“Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— ” Philemon 1:8-9

Paul was executed by beheading when he was imprisoned in Rome for spreading the gospel of Christ. He was about the age of 60. “…being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ…” Paul was imprisoned for about 4 1/2 years, and only the final two of those years were in Rome. Click here for a post on that from Acts 28:30-31 Scroll down to about the fourth paragraph.

In this verse, Paul is coming to the purpose of writing to Philemon, as he sets the mood by mentioning his old age and still being imprisoned in Rome for spreading the Gospel of Christ everywhere. Paul states that he could demand that Philemon do the right thing, referring to Onesimus, as would be fitting of a follower of Jesus Christ, but for love’s sake Paul chooses to appeal to Philemon in the love of Jesus. Likewise, as members of the family of Christ, we should choose to appeal to others in the love of Jesus Christ and not be so bold and demanding.

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.” Philemon 1:10-11

Onesimus is a name that was used a lot for naming slaves and means “useful”, “profitable“, or “helpful”. Onesimus was the slave of Philemon, and it is believed that Onesimus knew Paul before he ran away from Philemon and consciously went to Paul. Paul calls Onesimus his son, whom he had while in chains, meaning that Onesimus came to Jesus Christ through Paul. While with Philemon, Onesimus was not a Christian, and was more of a rebel and thief than he was useful. After meeting Paul and dedicating his life to Jesus Christ, he changed his ways and became useful and helpful within the family of Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus, second chances are what we are all about because we know the change that belief in God through Jesus Christ can make in the mind and heart through the Holy Spirit.

“I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.” Philemon 1:12-14

Paul decided to do the right thing by sending Onesimus back to Philemon and wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus with open arms, in the spirit of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Paul wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would accept Paul himself, a man of God and worker for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul even said that he would have been very pleased to keep Onesimus himself, in the context of Onesimus working for Philemon to minister to Paul in the work of the Gospel. With Onesimus belonging to Philemon, Paul would not keep Onesimus without Philemon’s consent. In this way, the forgiveness and grace of Philemon towards Onesimus would not be mandatory but be voluntary from his heart. Paul wanted Philemon to do this favor for him from his own free will.

“There is nothing in the letter to suggest that Paul expected Onesimus to be released from slavery. The letter, in fact, illustrates the early Christian way of dealing with slavery. It was not condemned as an institution; if it had been, there would have been danger of Christianity touching off a vast servile revolt, and in the process encouraging social revolution, rather than proclaiming a message of spiritual salvation, a gospel of reconciliation of men to God. Slaves were told to serve well and so glorify Christ (Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:22-25; 1 Tim 6:1, 2; Titus 2:9-14; 1 Pet 2:18-25); masters were told to remember in all their dealings with slaves that they have a Master in heaven to whom they must give account (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1). By realizing that they had spiritual freedom in Christ (1 Cor 7:22), slaves had the sting taken from their bondage. When masters were told to love their slaves, the principle was provided which inevitably would lead to the abolition of slavery.”

“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.” Philemon 1:15-19

Paul says to Philemon that perhaps his slave, Onesimus, ran away to make something happen to forge lasting bonds. Onesimus came to Jesus Christ after running away. The bond between Philemon and Onesimus would perhaps no longer just be a slave to his master but rather be a bond of endearment as brothers in Jesus Christ. Paul had already endeared Onesimus to himself as part of the family of Christ. To be a beloved brother in the flesh and the in the Lord refers to Philemon and Onesimus having the love of Christ in the slave/master relationship as well as being brothers in Christ, one relationship being the same as the other, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Paul says to Philemon that if he considers Paul to be a partner, then he should receive Onesimus as a partner as well. This reveals the humility of Paul who put a born-again runaway slave on an equal footing as himself and used his clout as a powerful leader for Christ to reconcile the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. Also, because Onesimus probably stole money, property, food, etc. from Philemon, or wronged Philemon in some other way, Paul promised to make it right. Paul also reminded Philemon that he owes him for everything that he is today in Jesus Christ. No doubt, Paul brought salvation to Philemon in a similar way as saving Onesimus.

“So, because we’re brothers in the Lord, do something for me. Give me some comfort because of Christ. I am confident as I write to you that you will do this. And I know that you will do even more than I ask. One more thing—have a guest room ready for me. I hope that, because of your prayers, God will give me back to you. Epaphras, who is a prisoner because of Christ Jesus like I am, and my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke send you greetings. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Philemon 1:20-25

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1