Philemon [Phīlē'mon]—friendly or affectionate. A believer in Colossi to whom Paul addressed a beautiful cameo of knightliness (Philemon 1).

The Man Whose Slave Came Back

Philemon, the rich, influential and pious Colossian was doubtless led to Christ by Paul, who therefore had power in his appeal for the return of Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, another convert of the apostle. The prayers, love, generosity, and hospitality of Philemon were ever in Paul’s mind (Philemon 5, 7, 21, 22). His well-furnished home was the rendezvous of believers. “The church” met in his home, and, as the leader of the Christian congregation in Colosse, Philemon’s influence must have been considerable. The close tie between Paul and Philemon is expressed in the phrase, “beloved and fellow worker.”

Paul’s approach to Philemon contained a sincere appraisal of character. With instinctive kindness and conscious diplomacy, the apostle praises Philemon for his Christian life and labors. From the lips of Onesimus he had heard often of Philemon’s love, faith and liberality. The tired hearts of the poor or otherwise distressed and harassed saints had found in Philemon a pillar of comfort and strength, and Paul, without flattery, extols the one whose life was the fruit of a loving heart. Such a commendation of Philemon prepared his mind for the apostle’s request on behalf of Onesimus. Purposely, Paul puts Philemon’s love first, seeing it was an act of love he was to prompt him to manifest.

Philemon was urged to deal with Onesimus, not as chattel, but as a Christian. The kingly heart of Paul begged for the forgiveness of one who had sinned against his own name, for Onesimus means profitable. How could Philemon spurn such a gracious overture? Did he not owe all he was in grace to Paul? As Martin Luther put it, “Paul strips himself of his right and therefore compels Philemon to betake himself to his right.”

Paul also urged that Philemon’s forgiveness must be warm, full and free, “Receive him, that is, mine own bowels.” The apostle’s fervent plea did not fall upon deaf ears. Onesimus was met with the desired reception (Col. 4:9). Legend has it that Onesimus became the Bishop of Berea.

There is something touching in Paul’s request to Philemon to pray that he might be liberated and then enjoy the loving hospitality of his home. Paul says that he wrote his letter with his own hand, and his signature eased the way for the return of Onesimus to his wronged master. It also shows us how to act in all graciousness to all men.

Of the Epistle to Philemon, “a little idyll of the progress of Christianity,” as it has been called, much might be said. Bishop Handley Moule compares it with the admired letter of Pliny to his friend Sabinianus, to ask pardon for a young freedman who had offended Sabinianus. “It’s [Pliny’s letter] a graceful, kindly letter, written by a man whose character is the ideal of his age and class: the cultured and thoughtful Roman gentleman of the mildest period of the empire. . . . His heart has not the depth of Paul to clasp Onesimus in his arms and to commend him to Philemon as a friend in God for immortality.” Nowhere in literature is there a gem so admirably adapted for the purpose on hand.