Perhaps no other book of Scripture can teach us more about forgiveness than Philemon. In just twenty-five verses Paul applies forgiveness to a specific situation: the return of a runaway slave, Onesimus, to his Christian owner Philemon. In the first seven verses Paul spoke highly of Philemon’s Christian character and how his integrity laid the foundation for forgiveness. Now in verses 8-18 Paul challenges Philemon to act upon his Christian character by receiving Onesimus back into his home, forgiving him, and restoring his relationship with him as a brother in Christ.
Nowhere in this book does Paul build a theological treatise on forgiveness. He doesn’t even use the word “forgiveness.” He simply assumes that Philemon knew the biblical principles that led Christians to forgive. He doesn’t appeal to law or principle, but to love, as he says, “Though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you” (vs. 8-9a). He could make his appeal for forgiveness in this manner because he knew Philemon to be a godly, spiritually mature man whose heart was right with God. For such a person, forgiveness is a way of life.
Paul tells Philemon that the first step of forgiveness is to receive back the one who offended. Philemon needed to take Onesimus back into his life because he has repented and now seeks restoration with Philemon whom he had wronged. “Whom I have begotten while in my chains” (v. 10) tells us that Paul, while imprisoned, led Onesimus to faith in Christ. Because of his spiritual rebirth his life has been transformed. A new man was returning to Philemon. He who “formerly was useless” had been so radically changed by Christ that he “now is useful” (v. 11). Onesimus means “useful.” Literally verses 10-11 make a play on words: “Useful formerly was useless, but now is useful.” He was so useful to Paul it was like sending his “own heart” (v. 12). He “wished to keep” him (v. 13), but wanted Philemon’s consent (v. 14). So he sent Onesimus back, asking Philemon to do what is right and receive him back.
The second step of forgiveness is to restore fellowship with the one who offended. Paul asks Philemon not only to welcome Onesimus back, but to restore him to service. Though not trying to mitigate his guilt, Paul suggests that God’s providence was at work. He tells Philemon that “perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever” (v. 15). Onesimus left as a slave, but returned “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother” (v. 16). By receiving him back and restoring him to service, Philemon would enjoy fellowship with Onesimus “both in the flesh,” as they worked together, and “in the Lord,” as they worshiped and ministered together. Oh, the difference forgiveness makes in our lives and in the lives of those being forgiven!
The third step of forgiveness is to reconcile accounts with the one who offended. It is likely that Philemon had been wronged by the flight of Onesimus. Not knowing if he would ever return, Philemon likely had to purchase a replacement for him. It may be that Onesimus took money or possessions from Philemon to finance his flight (v. 18a). Biblically restitution must be made (Numbers 5:6-8). Paul deals with this issue by asking Philemon to “receive” Onesimus “as you would me”; “as a partner” (v. 17). The thought here is for Philemon to be gracious and to forgive the debt. But again, Paul wants to put Philemon under no compulsion to do that, so he writes, “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account” (v. 18). Paul’s willingness to meet Onesimus’ debt to restore his relationship with Philemon is a marvelous picture of the work of Christ. Christ paid the price to reconcile us to God and so Paul was willing to pay the price to reconcile Onesimus to Philemon.
Never are we more like God than when we forgive. Never are we more like Christ than when we pay someone else’s debt so that reconciliation can take place. Like Paul, stand in the gap and make your forgiveness complete in Christ. Amen.
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