On Behalf of a Slave

GOLDEN TEXT: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” —Galatians 3:28

PHILEMON 8-21

IN ANCIENT times slavery was quite generally practiced. Even in the Jewish nation one could become a slave through failure to live up to certain obligations, which usually involved money, or property, or both. Philemon, to whom Paul addresses his letter, was a slave owner, and Onesimus was one of his slaves.

Onesimus had run away from his master, and had journeyed to Rome, where in due course he sought out Paul in prison, and was converted by Paul’s preaching. Without doubt Paul had visited the home of Philemon before he was imprisoned, and possibly had been served by Onesimus. The entire household, including the slaves, would probably know that Paul was now in a Roman prison, which would explain why the runaway slave so readily found him there.

The conversion of Onesimus presented a problem for Paul, for Philemon, and for Onesimus. Although Onesimus had escaped from Philemon, he was not free, for his owner could still claim him in the event he was found. And, according to Roman law, a runaway slave was to be returned to his master, and the master, in turn, had the legal right to punish him in any way he wished, even to putting him to death.

Paul knew this, and he knew therefore that he had a legal obligation to send Onesimus back to Philemon, even though he had now become a Christian. Onesimus, now understanding the Christian principles involved, knew that there was nothing for him to do but to return to his master. He now realized that he had done wrong in running away from Philemon.

Paul decided to write a letter to Philemon, and send it back to him by Onesimus. He evidently had observed the very deep spirit of devotion and consecration manifested by Onesimus, and was sure that he could trust him to return to Philemon without sending someone along to guard him. For the runaway to return of his own accord would in itself be likely to make a favorable impression upon Philemon.

It would seem that Onesimus had served Paul in prison for at least a short time, and the apostle had come to appreciate this service, and indicates in his letter that he would be glad to have him return and continue serving him. But he expresses this wish in a very diplomatic way. He observes that Onesimus had been unprofitable to his master, but now was in a position to be profitable not only to him but also to Paul, by returning to be his servant.

Paul explains that he could have kept Onesimus in Rome for this purpose, but realizing that he belonged to Philemon, he could not do this without obtaining his consent. So he is sending the slave back to his master, but now as a brother in Christ, with the indication that Philemon, if he desired, could of his own free will send him back to Paul, implying that this might be done without any special punishment to Onesimus.

Paul realized that the escape of Onesimus meant a loss to Philemon. Perhaps he had already purchased another slave to take his place. So he wrote, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.” At the time, although a prisoner, Paul was living in his own hired house, so apparently, during this brief period of his life, he had some means. It would seem that Philemon may have been caring for his financial affairs, so he bids the slave owner to make the necessary adjustment on his books to make up for any loss he had incurred as a result of Onesimus.

What more could Paul do? He entreated Philemon to receive his slave as a brother, and to treat him as a brother. The record does not state what Philemon’s attitude turned out to be. But Paul had confidence in him, even as he had confidence in Onesimus. He believed that he would have joy in the Lord from the act that Philemon would conduct himself as a real Christian should.

Our Golden Text is significant. From the Lord’s standpoint, all slaves and freemen are alike. Jews, Greeks, or Gentiles are alike. Indeed, in the body of Christ, the individual is not accepted because of sex, or any consideration other than that each one is called of God, and in response to that call makes a full consecration to do God’s will.

Paul knew that Onesimus had been called, and had witnessed his spirit of complete devotion to the Lord, so he knew that he was one of the fellow members of the body of Christ. What better credentials could he send back to Philemon? How wonderful it will be in the kingdom when all become brothers under Christ!

QUESTIONS

Relate the circumstances of today’s lesson, and point out some of the highlights of Paul’s letter to Philemon.

What application does the Golden Text have to the lesson?

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