Running head: PHILEMON 1

The Letter of Paul to Philemon

Monica Espinoza

Fresno Pacific University

PHILEMON 2

The purpose of this reading is to have an understanding of Philemon and the lessons that

may be learned through the letter, which was written by Paul, to Philemon concerning Onesimus,

Philemons runaway slave. The letter called Saint Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus, means, that he

was persecuted and arrested for being a Christian (Philemon 1, New Revised Version). Paul is

aware of his punishment and take it with peace and love to those who locked him up. Paul writes

a letter to Philemon in prison, to reconcile with Onesimus. In the letter to Philemon, you can

view the power that Philemon can have on his community if he chooses to take Onesimus as a

brother in Christ than a slave. Pauls letter is intended to focus on Philemons wrong doing and

reconcile with Onesimus, so therefore he can change himself and be converted into a brother of

Christ Jesus.

Onesimus, a runaway slave encountered Paul in prison after his escape from his master,

Philemon. During this time, runaway slaves were uncommon and if caught, would receive the

death penalty (Philemon, New American Bible). Know of this action, Paul establishes a quick

relationship with Onesimus and helps a brother in Christ Jesus. Paul converts Onesimus as a

Christian and Paul ends up loving him as his son and a fellow brother in Christ Jesus. Pauls

mission in prison was to help Onesimus and Philemon establish a different kind of relationship.

A different relationship other than the one they already had. This action needed to be change in

the eyes of Paul, because of his vision he had for them.

Through the letter, Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon to welcome Onesimus instead

of punishment. In Philemon 1:8-9 state, For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to

command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis and now also as a

prisoner of Christ Jesus (Philemon 1-2 NRV). This addresses Philemon to a new vision that will
PHILEMON 3

hold power between Philemon and Onesimus. Demonstrating the act of freedom among will

allow them to establish a relationship as a brother in Christ Jesus. Paul welcomes Onesimus as

part of the family of God by calling him his child. In verse 10 states, I am appealing to you for

my children, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. This reminds

Philemon that whoever you deal with, you are also dealing with my child. Caring for others is

the kind of action Paul is intending to accomplish with Philemon and Onesimus.

As Paul writes to Philemon and to the church that is being met at his home, he tells

Philemon that something incredible is about to happen. Paul is considering Onesimus as his child

during his imprisonment. He states this in verse 10-14, I am appealing to you for my child,

Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly, he was useless to

you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart,

back to you. I want to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place

during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in

order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.

Paul is making this clear enough for Philemon to see the good in Onesimus, so therefore

he can accept him as a brother of Christ rather than as a slave. Even though Philemon views

Onesimus as a useless person, as it is shown, that he may have stolen from Philemon. In verse

18, stating, If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my

account. Onesimus could have stolen from Philemon, but Paul is determined to show Philemon

how to forgive Onesimus and accept him back as a brother in Christ. Accepting and reconciling

with our neighbors, enemy, or close friend is how Paul wants society to live. If Paul changes his

action, Philemon could change and allow himself to accept Onesimus as a brother of Christ
PHILEMON 4

Jesus. If Philemon accept Onesimus, this action will be seen in society and their actions will

hope for others to change the way they view people. It can change others mind by accepting

others and follow God with no fear. It will be a step of change and it will let others to stop hiding

their faith. God reveals himself through Paul, and these changes created a great use of power.

This power demonstrated more than one who is physically trying to change ones actions or

mistakes. Words on paper can be seen and reflected as a way of becoming conscious of our

actions. Paul created good change during difficult times and was never viewed as greedy, even

though he was in prison for Christ Jesus.

In verse 17-18 says, 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 that to my

account. The word so in the verse is trying to tell Philemon, If then or If so you count me

as your partner, then receive him as you would receive me. Paul is demonstrating Philemon to be

humble and accept his brother in Christ as a family member. Paul is willing to take over the

charge that Onesimus has done to Philemon as a sign of reconciliation. Paul is willing to do this,

so therefore Philemon sees the seriousness in him and the right doing in accepting a brother in

Christ Jesus.

As Pauls writes this letter in prison and does his best to help Onesimus and Philemon to

reconcile. It is shown that Paul knows how to receive selfish runaways and support for the ones

that are making mistakes. Often times people have a hard time forgiving those who have sinned

against us, because of their wrong doings. In addition, it is difficult to practice the right thing

because we are selfish. In Romans 2:8 says, While for those who are self-seeking and who obey

not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. This is not something good to follow,
PHILEMON 5

because God wants us to put others first. Putting other first demonstrates the kindness of us to

help others first and then ourselves. Onesimus did in fact sin, If he has wronged you in any way,

or owes you anything, charge that to my account (Philemon 18). On the other hand, Onesimus

did change by becoming a useful person and a believer in Christ Jesus. Formerly he was useless

to you, but now he is indeed both to you and to me. I want to keep him with me, so that he might

be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel (Philemon 11,13).

These words show Philemon a different side of Onesimus and it allows Onesimus to be looked at

differently by his actions that were previously made.

Paul completes the letter and sends Onesimus back to Philemon to welcome Onesimus

instead of punish. For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do

your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love and I, Paul, do this as an old man,

and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus (Philemon 8-9). Paul is trying to indicate Philemon

that he has the authority to order Philemon to do the right thing. He has the authority to do so

because Paul knows, its wrong in the eyes of God. On the other hand, Paul is asking out of love

to forgive Onesimus. In such a kind way so therefore hate is not being created among

themselves. Having a simple conversation and using appropriate word choices tend to be more

successful when confronting someone for their mistakes. Often times, it is not easy to confront

our mistakes and usually an argument due to the choices of words does not end the way we

prefer. Paul seeks for love throughout his letter and prayers for Philemon, so therefore he can

take this action with seriousness and accept Onesimus with open arms.

The historical world shows us how in todays world, it is much similar, because of Jesus

Christ we all get the opportunity to be reconciled. The biggest way it is practiced is in the
PHILEMON 6

support and promotion of forgiving, in those who hurt us. When someone hurts us, we tend to

have tension with that person and often times, we tend to seek for forgiveness because of how we

feel inside. It is not a comfortable spot to be in when problems are not solved. We can remember

that at the cross, we are all Onesimus. We are all runaway slaves, because we are all in depth of

need for forgiveness. A way of practicing forgiveness is at church, when believers forgive other

believers and non-believers. Liked mentioned, if there is forgiveness there is peace within

ourselves and with Jesus Christ. We are forgiven and are set free within our conscious. The most

important way forgiveness is practiced in the church is the forgiveness that we receive from

Jesus Christ for our sins.

The nature of our church does not always need to be at specific spots. In this case, Paul

was in prison, yet he continued to practice the gospel in prison and attempt to spread the word of

God. Paul sent a letter and through the letter was able to pass on the love of forgiveness rather

than punishment to the enemy. These actions, converted Onesimus as a Christian and an

understanding to Philemon of forgiveness. God is always revealing himself through Paul by his

kind of work he does in prison. He looks for different ways of spreading the Love of Jesus Christ

and converts people so therefore they can spread the love of God as well. Paul is a kind of person

that lives a life at peace because he is a follower of Christ and is aware of his punishment. He

does not consider himself as a prison of anyone but of Christ Jesus. Paul shows Philemons

wrong doing and reconcile with Onesimus, so therefore he can change himself and be converted

into a brother of Christ Jesus.

PHILEMON 7

Reference

Coogan, D. M (Ed.). (2010). The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version

with the Apocrypha. Fourth Ed. New York, N.Y: Oxford University Press, Inc.

Mitchell, M. M. (2010). The Letter of Paul to Philemon. In M. Coogan (Ed.), The New Oxford

Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha (4th ed., pp. 2100-

2102). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Saint Mary's Press. (2011). The Catholic Youth Bible: New Revised Standard Version, Catholic

edition. Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press.