Above A Servant

In verse 16 of the Book of Philemon, Paul reasons with him, “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord.”  Paul beseeches Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would himself.  Paul again typifies Christ’s sacrifice as he offers to repay whatever Onesimus has taken.  Paul’s superb debate skills that he learned at the finest schools of the Pharisees, at the feet of Gamaliel, are showcased as he appeals to Philemon to recall that his own eternal life is owed to the ministry of Paul.

Paul expresses his confidence in Philemon’s favorable reply to this epistle.  Archaic legend asserts that Onesimus became the Bishop of Berea.  We can surmise that Philemon honored Paul’s request by Colosssians 4:7-10 as it says, "All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;  With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.  They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.  Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabus. . .”

Paul expresses his faith in his own release in verse 22, as he asks Philemon to prepare a room for him when he is able to come.  Paul then mentions the prayer giant Epaphras, whose name means, “charming.”  Marcus, meaning “large hammer” is also spoken of by the apostle.  Paul then speaks of Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner and a Macedonian of Thessalonica, whose name means, “best ruler.”  Demas is spoken of by Paul, his name means “popular ruler of the people.” Finally, Paul mentions Lucas, his name means “light giving or luminous.”

Paul delivers his characteristic benediction to end this short book, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen” (Philemon 25).  Paul of Tarsus, formerly Saul the Persecutor, a Jewish Pharisee, and freeborn citizen of Rome, gave his life for the cause of Jesus Christ.  The name Paul means, “small” but this great leader and apostle of the early Church was anything but diminutive.  Through the inspired books and epistles that the apostle penned, we are able to glimpse the torrid experience of the first century Church and the sacrifices that they gladly suffered for Christ.  As Christians, we owe this legacy to love to these brave men and women who lived and died for the Truth.  Legend holds that under the order of Porcius Festus, Paul was led out to the Appian Way and was beheaded there.     

Doulos

Paul shows exquisite diplomacy in his petition for Onesimus as he pleads with Philemon to receive him as a brother, when rightly in his apostolic position he could have demanded it.  In Philemon 11 Paul speaks of Onesimus, "Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me."  Interestingly, the name Onesimus means, "profitable.  The Greek word for unprofitable is a combination of "a" meaning "in the negative," and chrestos meaning "profitable," rendering the meaning of this compound Greek word "useless."  The word Philanthropia means "kindness toward man" in the Greek and is where we obtain the word philanthropy.  The proper name Philemon is derived from this same root.  The scripture speaks of Christian identity in John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Paul typifies Christ's sacrifice as he beseeches Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive himself.  One who was once useless in his sin, has now become a functional minister of Christ.  Paul acted in strict accordance with the Hebraic fugitive law in Deuteronomy 23:15,16, "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:  He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him."  Matthew Henry, in his commentary remarks, "It is honorable to shelter and protect the weak provided they are not wicked.  Converts should be treated tenderly that they not be tempted to return to the world."  Christianity introduced a new dynamic of relationship--love and respect that erodes the antagonism between slaves and masters.  This truly exemplifies the restoration and transformative power of the cross.

Philemon 15 speaks of eternity, "For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever." The Greek word Doulos speaks of, "a slave, one under subjection."  This word denotes a slave by choice, Exodus 21:5,6 says, "And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever."  This Doulos relationship is that which we enter into with Christ at the time of our salvation.  

Grace and Peace

"Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:3).  Paul's words resound across the centuries from his imprisionment in a first century Roman jail to our hearts, as we read his epistle written to Philemon of Colossae.  Colossae was a city in the Valley of the Lycus River, which was a branch of the Meander River in the southwest region of ancient Phrygia (Asia Minor).  The occaision of the writing of this personal letter, was Paul's entreaty to Philemon to receive the fugitive Onesimus back to himself as a brother, rather than as a slave.  The motifs of forgiveness, discretion, and restoration ring throughout this short letter, which contained only 334 words in the original Greek text.

The epistle of Philemon was hand delivered to its namesake by none other than Onesimus himself, who was accompanied by Tychicus.  Paul identifies himself as the author, as he acknowledges Timothy as his brother and Philemon as their fellow laborer.  Timothy was Paul's spiritual son, as was Onesimus, as the apostle had led both of them to salvation.  The name Timothy means "honored or valued of God, or worshipper of God."  From the Greek, Philo, means "lover," Philemon's name translates to "friendly or affectionate man."  Paul describes Philemon as dearly beloved, as well as a fellow laborer in this book.  The Greek word sunergos, which is the root of the word, synagogue, is associated with leading together, an assembly or congregation.  This is exactly what verse two of this book says that Philemon hosted in his home, "And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house."  The name Apphia, is qualified in some translations as, "our sister."  The male equivalent of this name means "revivified."  Archippus means, "master of the horse," he was a Christian of Colossae, a close friend of Philemon, and most likely the pastor of this house church.

Paul characteristically offers a prayer of thanksgiving and encouragement as he praises Philemon for his love, faith, and care of the saints.  It is interesting that this letter was written in the early 60s by a slave of Christ in bonds of men, on behalf of a renegade slave, to another slave of Christ.  Each of these men had intimate knowledge of what is means to be constrained by bonds.  Each of these men had tasted the forgiveness that Christ's sacrifice offers.  Each of these men were responsible, as we are, to extend this magnanimous forgiveness to those who have wronged them.