Onesimus

Some of the things we have studied from Paul’s epistles to Philippians and Colossians:

• Be humble and consider others as more important
• Be knit together in love
• Built up and rooted in Christ alone
• Focus on things above
• Walk in wisdom
• Speak with grace
• Work heartily, as for the Lord

What do we learn about Onesimus in this passage?

• A servant (slave) who ran away from his master, Philemon
• He met Paul and met Christ and was saved
• He was a real Onesimus, that is a useful person, to Paul and his ministry in chains
• Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon
  • Onesimus is willing and obedient to go back

 

How is Philemon supposed to receive and treat Onesimus? 

• As a born again child of God
• As a beloved brother
  • Not as a slave
  • Beloved brother to both Paul and Philemon
  • Beloved brother both
    • In flesh
    • And in the Lord
• Receive him as he would receive Paul
• Ask Paul for anything Onesimus may have owed Philemon

How does Paul show in action, the principles he taught, in his letter to Philemon?

• Paul choose to
  • Beg, even though he could command
    • Even though he had a right to
  • Send Onesimus back
    • Even though Onesimus was helpful in Paul’s ministry
  • Ask for Philemon’s consent
    • Even though Paul knew Philemon wouldn’t mind
  • Pay Philemon any dues on account of Onesimus running away
    • Even though Philemon owed Paul his very self
• Showed no difference in how he treated the master and the slave
  • Instead considered Onesimus a beloved brother

What does it take to be like Onesimus, Philemon and Paul?

• Rooted in Christ that would build us to be
  • Obedient to the Word of God
  • Humble in spirit
  • Loving towards everyone

Conclusion

• Rooted in Christ
• Walk in wisdom
• Speak with grace
• Knit together in love

Passage Philemon  – World English Bible (WEB)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, 6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,[a] 11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. 14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides). 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Footnotes

1. 1:10 Onesimus means “useful”.

Notes / Cross references:

Onesimus was a servant (most probably a slave) that ran away from Philemon

Philippians 3:17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.

Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.