More Than A Slave

Philemon 8-16

Paul has just commended Philemon for his love for Paul and the other Christians.

(8) Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,

Paul's confidence is in Christ, not in Philemon, and he knows that he has the authority to give him a command.

(9) yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--since I am such a person as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner in Christ Jesus--

Instead Paul appeals to him as one he loves, who is an old man now, and even in prison. Paul is unable to do anything except to appeal to Philemon.

(10) I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,

He is appealing to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, who became a Christian under Paul's ministry while he sat in chains between two guards, imprisoned.

(11) who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

This is a double play on words, as Onesimus, is a common slave name, which means "useful" or "profitable." It is also the meaning of chrestos, which appears in this verse as achrestos ("useless"), and euchrestos ("useful"). Chrestos, in turn, sounded so much like Christos that the Roman historian Seutonius takes this to be Jesus' name. This word play was very clever and humorous to an ancient reader. That Paul uses it at the beginning of his plea for Onesimus shows his exquisite sensitivity and tact.

(12) I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,

Again we see how dear to Paul is Onesimus.

(13) whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;

Paul would like to keep Onesimus in Philemon's place.

(14) but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.

Paul would not "take" this slave or his labor without the permission of his owner and master, but he is urging him to share him because it's the right thing to do.

If he weren't in prison, he would have been able to assume custody of a runaway slave after he had given guarantees of his return to the public officials, and suggested that the slave be assigned to him for a time. This was not uncommon.

But Paul was not free to follow this legal procedure, so instead he confronts the social and economic order head-on; and his request for clemency for Onesimus and hint of his assignment to Paul defied Roman tradition. By this plea Paul was giving dignity to the slave class.

Paul has been speaking as an urbane, deferential, educated man of the classical world, then goes further and urges Philemon to make his decision out of Christian love rather than obligation.

(15) For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,

(16) 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.

The contrast between a while and forever show God's hand in this whole situation, and reveals Paul's tact; instead of referring to him as a runaway, he speaks of a temporary separation that will result in a permanent reunion with him.

And he contrasts slave, a temporal and demeaning position, with brother, an eternal relationship in the Lord.

In many of the ancient religions and in Greek and Roman law concerning religions, a slave was treated as an equal with the other adherents to the religion, breaking the economic and social barriers between people; but as they feared and appeased their gods they never claimed to love them, or to be loved by them.

Only in Christ are we to love God and love our fellow human beings as Christ has already loved us. And Paul loves Onesimus very much, and Philemon will love him all the more, as more than a slave, a beloved brother.

O my Father, there is so much I do not know yet of You and Your ways. Help me to follow You in what I do know so far. Strengthen me to stand my ground, on the Rock of my salvation, even in the midst of the storm.

My Father, as I obey what I know, help me to learn further truths so I can also follow You deeper into the Secrets of God. You want us to search out matters, and to connect the dots in Your Scriptures to understand more of the Big Picture.

O Father, let me share the insights You give me with others. Give me Your words, Father, to express Your ideas and Your ways to the world. Use my efforts to inform many of who You are and how much You love them, too.

Father, let every living person hear and understand to make an informed decision to follow You, or to turn away.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!