Sometimes we need to be careful how we think about some things that are small in size or in content and also because of how others believe or understand about the significance of something being small.Just looking at the definition of the word small it is easy to understand how easy it is to believe that something small has little significance. Small – “Limited in importance or significance”, “Limited in degree or scope”, “Lacking position, influence, or status”, “Lacking force or volume”.
Please take the time to read the Philemon
When “small” relates to the books and letters of the Bible, the letter of Philemon can easily overlooked and considered insignificant because of its size because it only has only twenty-five verses. As relating to the definition of the word small, the small book of Philemon is not “Limited in importance or significance, degree or scope”, nor “Lacking force or volume” of what we can learn about forgiveness.
The book of Philemon is a personal letter from one good friend to another, the apostle Paul and the Philemon. The Spirit filled life study Bible, gives us a very good introduction to this small letter but not insignificant letter.
This letter is Paul’s personal appeal to Philemon, a wealthy Christian slave-owner. It appears that Philemon had been converted under Paul’s ministry (v. 19), “I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self.” that he resided in Colosse, and that the Colossian church met in his house (vs. 1b-2), “To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home”.Onesimus, one of his slaves, had fled to Rome, apparently after damaging or stealing his master’s property (vv. 11, 18), “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.” “If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.” In Rome, Onesimus came in contact with the imprisoned Paul, who led him to Christ (v. 10), “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”
Paul eventually wrote to the church in Colosse and evidently included this letter on Onesimus’s behalf. Tychicus and Onesimus apparently delivered both letters. Colossians 4:7-9, 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. The close relationship between Paul and Philemon is evidenced by the “open door” hospitality (v. 22), “And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.” Love, trust, and respect characterized their friendship (vv. 1, 14, 21).
There are many things this small letter does not tell us about the intimate friendship between Philemon and Paul, and also the cultural background of slavery and how it related to Onesimus. Concerning slavery one resource tells us; “Slavery was an accepted economic and social reality in the Roman world. Under Roman law, the slave was property. Varro classified slaves among “implements,” which he classifies as “articulate-speaking” implements, as “slaves;” having a voice but not articulating, as oxen, dumb as wagons.” Under Roman law, runaway slaves could be severely punished and even condemned to death. A slave had no rights.”
Our household pets and animals today have more rights than a slave in the Roman world. Because Onesimus was a runaway, slave who ended up with Paul in Rome, it caused a big challenge for Philemon’s and Paul’s relationship. Paul recognized this and told Philemon concerning Onesimus the following. “12 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Philemon 12-15.
Paul also faced a legal challenge knowingly receiving a runaway and fugitive slave while being a prisoner in chains.
The greatest challenge was for Philemon to forgive Onesimus. The Roman society’s mentality and treatment of slaves was accepted and practiced by Philemon towards Onesimus, but now Philemon, to be able to forgive him, needed to see Onesimus not the way he did in the past but from God’s perspective. Onesimus now being a Christian changed everything. Paul refers to the spiritual change in Onesimus’ life by telling Philemon how he appreciated him. “10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.” Philemon 10.
Paul calls to Onesimus his “son”, referring to him as his spiritual son, which means Onesimus was a born again believer in Christ. There are only two other persons in all the writings of Paul that he refers to as his “son”, Timothy, To Timothy my true son in the faith”, 1 Timothy 1:2. And Titus, “To Titus, my true son in our common faith”, Titus 1:4.
Paul also helps Philemon to accept Onesimus from God’s perspective, with a play on the meaning of Onesimus’ name which is “useful” or “profitable”, he says in verse eleven the flowing concerning Onesimus. “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.”
Paul continues to appeal to the new way Philemon needed to accept Onesimus by what he says in verses fifteen and sixteen. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. Philemon 15-16.
Philemon had to no longer see Onesimus as just a slave, but now he needed to accept him as a brother in Christ. Because it is on this basis we as Christians forgive others. Even if the other person does not ask for forgiveness or recognizes the wrong they did, we are to forgive them. Also forgiving another person does not mean that we are saying that the wrong they did is acceptable.
It is believed that the Church of Colosse was the very church that met in Philemon’s home that Paul referred to in Philemon 1-2, “To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home…”.
Paul writing to the church (Christians) in Colosse who had issues of not forgiving each other told them the following. Colossians 3:13-14, 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
When we are offended, we need to forgive the other person, remembering the way we were forgivenby Christ. But how was that? Colossians 2:13, When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.
Pastor John
