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Paul Speaks to Philemon
8Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do. 9But I would rather ask you to do it simply because of love. Yes, as someone in jail for Christ, 10 I beg you to help Onesimus! He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail. 11Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12Sending Onesimus back to you makes me very sad. 13I would like to keep him here with me, where he could take your place in helping me while I am here in prison for preaching the good news. 14But I won't do anything unless you agree to it first. I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do.
15Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so you could have him back for good, 16but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord.
17If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. 18If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don't forget you owe me your life. 20My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me.
21I am sure you will do all I have asked, and even more. 22Please get a room ready for me. I hope your prayers will be answered, and I can visit you.
23 Epaphras is also here in jail for being a follower of Christ Jesus. He sends his greetings, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me.
25I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you!
Reflect
Paul, here is challenging Philemon to move from being a recipient of grace freely given to him to being a generous dispenser of grace to Onesimus who, like him, does not deserve it. Onesimus has run away from Philemon, risking the death penalty if captured. In the meantime, Onesimus has met Paul who has introduced him to Jesus. He is now a precious brother in Christ, but there is still a price on his head for being a runaway slave. Onesimus needs to return to Philemon and throw himself on his mercy. Paul needs to help Philemon get over his immediate anger, hurt and righteous indignation and to learn that in following Jesus we also learn to be generous dispensers of grace.
Paul reminds Philemon that he owes his life to Paul, who has led him to the Lord. Philemon too was once a man with a price hanging over his head. He too has been bought and paid for, but that has not been held against him and he has freely received grace. The bounty has been lifted and he is fully pardoned. Paul seeks to persuade Philemon to extend grace like this to Onesimus – undeserved and free. Just as Jesus does, but it must be freely given.
Are you holding onto unforgiveness towards a loved one, friend, family member or work colleague? We have been granted forgiveness without limit. Can you bring yourself to extend this grace to others as freely as it was given to you? Ironically when we do not forgive, we hurt ourselves more than the one we are holding out on. Forgiveness sets the other party free, but it also sets us free.
Respond
I confess that I hold on to unforgiveness in areas of my life. This damages me and my relationships. Help me, Father God, to identify these areas and choose to let each one go. As I am washed by your forgiveness help me to wash those I have not yet forgiven. For the sake of Jesus, who went to the cross that I might be forgiven. Amen.
Rob Cornish
Rob grew up in Southern Africa, meeting SU at camps and clubs in his childhood. He worked as a Chartered Accountant, then SU. Rob and family moved to Canada in 1991 to work with SU, becoming Canadian Director until 1997 when he left to build a financial advisory practice with a bank until retiring recently. Rob and Cheryl work as volunteers in welcoming immigrants to Canada, showing them the love of Jesus, so that they may know and understand the gospel.