Reflecting on Philemon

It can be helpful to read a summary of a verse, passage, or book of the Bible that you already know well. Why? It can give you a fresh take on something you think you have completely exhausted! This excerpt from the Know the Word Study Bible Notes helps you to begin reflecting on Philemon, and re-applying it to your own life.

HOW PAUL MET ONESIMUS & PHILEMON

“One of the most remarkable experiences we can have is the realization of how small the world really is. Maybe you’ve been on vacation five hundred miles from home and recognized a friend from high school. Or you met someone on the other side of the world who, through conversation, you realized used to lead your sister’s Bible study. It’s exciting to make a connection where you don’t expect one.

Something similar happened with Paul and a man named Onesimus. Bible students aren’t certain where Paul was, but he was a prisoner somewhere in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) or perhaps in Rome. Paul led Onesimus to saving faith in Jesus Christ. At some point, they realized they both knew the same person: Philemon. Paul had also led Philemon to accept Christ as Savior when Paul was leading the church in Colosse.

But the realization wasn’t all back-slapping fun; Onesimus and Philemon weren’t friends. On the contrary, Philemon was a slave-owner, and Onesimus had been his slave. Complicating things further, Onesimus had run away.”

TIME TO MAKE A DECISION

“Paul knew and loved both men and desired to develop their relationships with Christ and their walks with Him. What was Paul to do? Under Roman law, runaway slaves could be punished with death. Paul himself had written that bondservants (slaves) should “obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22). But he had also taught that Christians should forgive (2 Cor. 2:10) and love (1 Cor. 13).

Paul could have taken many actions. He could have helped Onesimus stay away from officials, but he had taught that governments should be honored (Rom. 13:1–7). He could have kept the secret, but that was not walking in the light of truth (Eph. 5:8). There were many seemingly easy ways out of the situation, for both Paul and Onesimus, but Paul didn’t take the easy way. In fact, he did what might have been the most difficult: he sent Onesimus back to Philemon, carrying a note written by Paul himself (Philem. v. 19). The book of Philemon is that very letter.”

TRUSTING GOD WHILE DOING WHAT IS RIGHT

“Only Philemon, as guided by God and in cooperation with Onesimus, could make this situation right. It was time for brotherly love to reign. But that brotherly love appeared to go against culture and law. We can only imagine the prayers and tears that poured out as Paul wrote the letter. We can only imagine how many times Onesimus feared going back. And, we can only imagine what happened once Philemon got the letter, because there is no record of his response.

Through the dangling finale we are forced to confront our own hearts:

Could I forgive?

Would I build a friendship across a cultural divide?

Could I trust God to make this right?

Would I do the right thing?

Could I love one who had wronged me?”

Know the Word Study Bible

There’s a big difference between knowing someone and knowing someone. Maybe you’ve been reading the Bible all your life, but do you really know the Word? Dive into Scripture and gain an intimate knowledge of background info, cultural details, and the heart of the writer’s intention with the Know the Word Study Bible Notes. Get your copy today!