ONESIMUS
‘I beseech Thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.’
A man may be known by the company he keeps, by the books he reads, and by the letters he writes.
I. This Epistle was a private letter of St. Paul.—Dr. Hawker says, ‘If it were not where it is, folded up in the sacred pages of Divine truths, it would be classed among the first productions of mankind, be carefully deposited in every museum of literature, and recommended by all the admirers of the fine arts as the most correct standard of letter-writing.’ It was not a public letter like the Epistle to the Romans or the Corinthians, but a private note sent by Onesimus.
II. Why did St. Paul write it?—I will explain. Onesimus was a slave who fled from his master, Philemon, having previously robbed him. He fled to Rome, thinking perhaps to escape detection among the crowd. Here, it may be, he spent the stolen property in riotous living. Onesimus had doubtless heard that St. Paul was the preacher by whose ministry his master, Philemon, had become a Christian, and so curiosity, or rather the secret guiding of the good Spirit of God, led him to the hired house where the great Apostle was preaching the Gospel (Acts 28:30-31). The heart of poor Onesimus is touched by grace. Then the Apostle sends him back to his master with this letter in his hand.
III. It has been said that St. Paul sanctions slavery.—I do not think so for one moment. He does, indeed, send back Onesimus to Philemon; but be begs him to forgive his runaway servant, and to receive him ‘not now as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved’ (see Philemon 1:16). For, indeed, there is a fellowship in Christ which makes masters and servants one; it is the grand ‘communion of saints’ which they have with God, with their risen Lord, and with each other.
—Rev. F. Harper.
Illustration
‘The manner of the Epistle teaches us as well as its matter. St. Paul offers to pay the debt of Onesimus for him, or to make up what he had taken, out of his own slender purse. Onesimus must pay what he owed. It would be a poor beginning in his new Christian life to attempt to evade his obligations. “Put that on mine account,” says St. Paul. And then he adds, as if it were not sufficiently business-like for a Christian, “I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand; I will repay it.” This principle condemns all attempts to slip off, or shuffle over, any social or commercial engagements on the score of Christian claims or exclusiveness.’
(SECOND OUTLINE)
THE APOSTLE’S APPEAL
I. The gentle courtesy of the Apostle.—No Christian ought to be rude or harsh. That is a grand verse in the Psalms—‘Thy gentleness hath made me great.’ And the children of God are commanded to be ‘gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.’ This letter to Philemon is a model of true politeness. Luther calls it ‘a charming and masterly example of Christian love.’
II. The love of God.—Philemon was a Christian. He was a Christian minister too, yet the heart of Onesimus, his servant, remains hardened. He flees from his master. Then God, in His wondrous grace and mercy, directs his feet to Rome, and guides him within the reach of St. Paul’s voice. The Lord had not given him up! The Lord willed not that he should perish. He led him to the place where His Apostle was preaching, and opened his heart to attend to the things spoken. In all this I see the wonderful works of God. And when I trace the hand of the Lord guiding the feet of poor runaway Onesimus into the way of peace, I mark the fulfilment of the promise of the great and good Shepherd, Who said,’ Other sheep I have … them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice’ (John 10:16).
III. The power of the Gospel.—The Holy Ghost brought it home with power to the heart of Onesimus. He saw the evil of sin. He saw the love of Jesus. He felt the worth of his soul. The story of the Saviour’s love, dying for sinners on the Cross, overcame him at last.
IV. The value of a Christian servant.— Philemon 1:11 shows this. Now Onesimus is really a changed man, he will be ‘profitable’ to Philemon. As much as to say, ‘Philemon, it is even for your advantage to take Onesimus back.’ A truly Christian servant will serve his earthly master well, because he serves a Master in heaven. He will work with a good conscience, and prove himself faithful and true. Before his conversion, Onesimus was a dishonest slave; now he is ‘a brother beloved both in the flesh and in the Lord.’
V. The ground on which St. Paul urges his request.—‘Thou owest unto me even thine own self besides’ (Philemon 1:19). ‘All you know of Christ, and all you hope for of glory, you owe to me.’ Certainly, those who are God’s instruments of bringing others to Jesus ought to get gratitude from their spiritual children. How grateful, for example, should St. Peter have felt to St. Andrew for bringing him to Jesus (John 1:41). But, strange to say, this gratitude, I fear, is almost rare. We warmly thank friends who help us in regard to this world, while spiritual blessings are too often forgotten. Yet St. Paul says, ‘If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things?’ (1 Corinthians 9:11). And St. Paul takes this high ground when he begs his favour of Philemon.
—Rev. F. Harper.
Illustration
‘Note the destination of Onesimus after he had been converted to Christianity. He is bidden to return to his master. True, St. Paul writes a beautiful letter for the runaway slave to present when he gets back; but back he must go. St. Paul is kind, but firm. Onesimus, being now a Christian, must return to the post which he had deserted. Surely here we may learn something about the social duties of the Christian, and especially of any one who has been newly impressed with Christian truth. The more worldly our business is, the more do we want good Christians to be engaged in its management. God is with us in many ways, and yet I do not know that He ever specially visited any one who had forsaken a clear duty without a clear call to do so, though it were professedly to serve Him better. Wherever we are, God is. Wherever we work, he works. There is no greater mistake than to think that we are kept from God by our business.’