Philemon Chapter One Vs: 10-25

Wednesday's Daily Word and Thought Journal (By: Yusun Beck)

Philemon Chapter One vs: 10-25

"I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful to both you and to me. And I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but with out your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will. For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (lest I should mention to you that you owe to me even your own as well). Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. And at the same time also prepare me a lodging that through your prayers I shall be given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. " (Quoted from the New American Standard Translation Bible Phil 1:10-25)

What was Paul's plea is the next question of this letter. What was going on? There are many answers surrounding the history. But I want to stick to just what is written in the bible and most importantly this text. Paul's plea explains who Onesimus is. It explains why he was taken away. What he was and who he was intended to be was also explained. There was Paul's plea. And, finally, a show of Paul's faith in God's will for Onesimus being accomplished, through Philemon as Onesimus returns. First let me explain who this Onesimus is...

Who is Onesimus? From reading the text, how Paul speaks of this man, I would say that he was Paul's son whom was coming to maturity. Whether it was both literally and spiritually, I am not sure. Of course, I know for a fact that he was at least spiritually. I say this because at first Paul states that Onesimus was useless at first, and now he has become useful. As well, this letter was addressed to Philemon and his church. So Onesimus was Paul's son whom was coming into maturity. So why did he run away from Philemon and his slavery if he was becoming mature spiritually. Didn't many Christian that were slaves stay obedient to their masters?

Well, Paul explains, that this parting was an act of God so that he may receive ministry from his son. The only offenses, debts, or wrongs he may have on account of his servitude were not to have this one act added to them. Also, Paul, mentions that not only does Philemon owe Paul his self, he does not care about that for it is neither here nor there. Paul tells Philemon that all other things Onesimus had done wrong or owed in the past go to Paul's account. Once again this did not include his parting ways from Philemon, especially since Philemon was receiving the letter most probably from Onesimus.

Paul demonstrated his faith in God's work in Philemon and Onesimus by asking Philemon to accept his very son not as a slave anymore, but as a helpful brother. He states that aside from ministering to himself, this was the reason that his son had been parted from Philemon. Paul's plea was for Onesimus to return as a free man who was to be released under the authority of Philemon's church and family as a brother. Paul had also asked for lodging with the hopes that he was returning himself as well. However, make no mistake; Paul's plea was for Onesimus.

To conclude this book, this letter was written to Philemon's church/family. It had a focus of glorifying God through encouraging Philemon to do God's will. It was a gentle and loving word that was given as a friendly request, so that God would not have to order Philemon into action on his will for Onesimus. Paul's basic plea was for Onesimus, his son and Philemon's slave, to be a servant of Christ in Philemon's church as a brother and not a slave. Paul asked knowing that Philemon was obedient. It was also to exonerate Onesimus of his parting and as a separate issue in wrong doing or cost that he had done or owed. God's will was for Onesimus to return a free man and servant to Christ in Philemon's church for now... God bless, and be encouraged... An alternate lesson is that God has a plan for us all no matter where we have begun at or are currently at.