T UCKED AWAY IN THE BOWELS of Paul’s writings and only a single page, Philemon is easily overlooked. If you or I have given little notice to this personal letter, scholars have written volumes about it. Part of the study addresses why it’s in the Bible to begin with. Some early church leaders thought it was too personal and particular to be of use to the larger community. Others said that anything written by Paul must be read and saved.
In the 4th Century, John Chrysostom’s interpretation of this brief letter gave validity to its preservation. He proposed that Onesimus is a fugitive slave and that Paul is seeking to aid him in returning to his master, Philemon, without major repercussions. It’s that interpretation, by the way, that provided biblical support for American slavery and was recited by many a Southern preacher as a “Pauline mandate” for slavery.
Now, scholarship questions that 1,600-year-old interpretation. Some scholars over the past 50 years are questioning the fugitive status of Onesimus. Was he sent by Philemon to minister to Paul and Paul wants to keep him? Others question if Onesimus is a literally a slave at all. What if instead of a master/slave relationship we have blood relatives who are estranged? One flees, the other stays. The fleeing kin becomes a Christian under Paul’s guidance. He wants to make things right with his family. That’s a familiar biblical theme. Jacob and Esau. The “Prodigal Son” parable. Paul’s letter then is an attempt to reunite alienated kin.
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THE EXACT SITUATION and circumstances from long ago are lost to us. All we have is this brief letter. How the characters in this letter fit into place depends on how you interpret verses found squarely in the middle of the letter. The key seems not to be the word “slave” or the word “brother,” but the word “as.”
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever — no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.
As a slave. As a brother. Don’t receive him back as a slave. Remember that parable of the prodigal? When he came to his senses and returned home, he fully expected to be treated as one of the servants. Is Paul asking Philemon to welcome a wayward brother back into the full standing of the family instead of relegating him to servant status? To welcome the prodigal brother who has now converted to Christianity? To welcome Onesimus with open, loving and forgiving arms?
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I LIKE THAT INTERPRETATION. Especially in today’s world. There’s not much reconciliation needing to go on between master and slave. In that case it is too personal and particular for much use. But there is much reunion that needs to take place between brothers. There is ceasefire that needs to be negotiated between estranged spouses, between parents and children. Even brothers and sisters in Christ need to end hostilities. There is much need for repentance, forgiveness, renewal, restoration and grace.
That, I think, is Paul’s image of Onesimus and Philemon coming together. Reunion. Welcome. Love. In fact, Paul wants a party, just like with the prodigal. The letter is written to Philemon, but also to Apphia (Philemon’s wife?) and to Archippus, perhaps another relative or church elder. But also to the whole church that meets in Philemon’s house. Paul wants the whole church to welcome Onesimus not as a slave but as a full-fledged, forgiven, loved family member.
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WE FIND OURSELVES in one of three places in this story:
● Maybe you are like Onesimus. You have strayed, left, run off. Perhaps with good reason. You want to make amends. You want restoration of a relationship. How do you go about it?
● Maybe you are like Philemon. You’ve been hurt. How do you respond as a Christian to such a breach of love and trust?
● Some of you are like Paul. You have authority as a parent or good friend. You have ability. You have the respect of both parties to intervene and bring about change and life. Did Paul insert himself into the situation and offer his support? Or did Onesimus seek Paul’s help in conflict resolution?
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EITHER WAY, ONESIMUS NEEDS HELP and Paul is there to do what he can as a friend to both. Paul bridges the gap between these two people. He loves them both and wants them to restore their love and care for each other. He wants a fresh start, a renewed hope for them both. Reunited without hesitation or punishment. It must be that Onesimus, for whatever reason he has left Philemon, is ready and willing to seek and offer forgiveness. Will it happen?
We don’t know how Onesimus is received when he returns. We only know that he goes back in the prayerful hope that Philemon will receive him as a brother and not a slave. What is Philemon’s reaction? Does he accept the guidance of Paul? Does he throw a party? Or does he send Onesimus to do the chores?
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A STORY IS TOLD of two unmarried sisters who had so bitter a ruckus that they stopped talking to each other. Unable or unwilling to leave their small home, they continued to use the same rooms and sleep in the same bedroom. A chalk line divided the sleeping area into halves. They would ignore each other all day. At night, in the dark silence of their tiny shared bedroom, they could hear the breathing of the enemy. For years they coexisted in grinding silence. Neither was willing to take the first step toward reconciliation.
All over America chalk lines partition relationships and divide households. In Christ, those lines can be erased, and reunion can take place. That’s the difference the transforming gospel makes in lives and relationships. Reconciliation. Renewal. Those separated and estranged come together.
— Keith Cardwell
