Meditation

Hi there,

Today we meet Onesimus the runaway slave...and run headlong into Paul's very wily persuasive arts.

Today's passage contains the pivotal phrase in the whole letter, noting that Onesimus, whose name literally means "Useful" had become "useless" to Philemon as he had absconded but has now become 'useful' again not only to Philemon, but also to Paul.

It was normal in Greco-Roman times for slaves to be named by their masters as a form of control, and those names would often be what we would now call 'nicknames', denoting characteristics or utility. "Onesimus" was a common name for slaves who were considered profitable or useful to their masters.

Two things really stood out to me as I was copying and studying this passage. First Paul has set up Philemon to be receptive to the direct appeal for Onesimus in verse 6 (highlighted below).

Paul has established that Philemon and he are "partners" in the faith. And here he states that Onesimus is transformed and is now useful to both of them.

Any recognition or gratification Philemon felt at Paul's earlier identification with him now binds him into a commitment to forgive.

The second is the transformation of Onesimus, which I'll expand on in the Encouragement below. For now I'll leave you to copy out verses 8-11.

Today's text is Philemon 8-11

Philemon

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

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

Encouragement

Since fleeing Colossae and Philemon, Onesimus has been transformed and has become 'my son' to Paul. He has literally been 'born again'. He who was once 'useful' became lost in and through sin to become 'useless', and has now repented and been born again into new 'usefulness'.

One of the ways we can delight in Paul's letters, writings and speeches is recognizing how shameless he is in using what is available to him to get to the heart of the matter and to the hearts of his listeners.

In the speech at Mars Hill recorded in Acts 17 verse 23 plays on the Roman's capacity for worship;

..and here he uses a play on Onesimus's name to highlight his transformed condition which is clever and even quite witty.

I hope you delighted in Paul's wily persuasion for the Gospel today.

​
​Andy

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