Philemon – Just Forgive

Paul had penned many letters to the churches, describing God’s grace and love to train each flock in the ways and thoughts of the Lord. But his letter to Philemon, a
Christian brother in Colossae, was different.

This time, it was personal.

Philemon owned a slave named Onesimus who had deserted his post—an offense punishable by death if Philemon so deemed it. But during his escape, Onesimus met Paul. After hearing the gospel, Onesimus embraced Jesus as his Savior and repented of his past sins.

But there was still a problem. Onesimus legally belonged to Philemon. To make past offenses right, he needed to return. But his repentance bore great risk. What if Philemon didn’t forgive? What if he punished him severely or put him to death? Paul wanted to see to it that no such sin would touch his new child in the faith. So he sent a letter directly to Philemon addressing the matter.

His leverage? Philemon’s own life. Had Paul not preached to him, he would have never known God’s saving grace and the freedom found only in His Son. Now, Paul challenged, it was time for Philemon to offer that same kind of freedom to Onesimus. Paul stopped just shy of commanding that Philemon receive back Onesimus not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. By releasing him from his obligatory service, Onesimus would gladly serve alongside Philemon for the sake of the gospel.

Though Paul wrote as forcefully as possible without making an outright demand, he believed Philemon would respond in obedience and love as all believers who surrender to God’s will would do. Paul’s letter reminds us that faith in Christ is not merely a set of beliefs. True faith evidences itself through obedient action, characterizing every part of our lives with the love of Christ, Himself.

What was Paul asking Philemon to do and why?

Has anyone ever wronged or betrayed you? How did it make you feel? Did you forgive them?

What happens to us when we forgive others?