PHILEMON
This is Paul ‘s prison letter and a personal letter to Philemon, a slave owner, written on behalf of Onesimus who is a run away slave from his master Philemon . This Onesimus met Paul in Rome, accepted Christ ( V10), and became close to Paul (V10, 12 & 16). Paul in this letter, appeals to Philemon to accept him back- not as a slave but with love and forgiveness as a Christian brother,
FOR, IN CHRIST,
‘ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female ‘(Gala 3 :28).
This Philemon is a church member at Colosse, ( V.1&2), probably a convert of Paul. To win his acceptance and willingness, Paul writes very tactfully in a light hearted tone, building a rapport, then ,he states his appeal in V10.
This is a unique letter, the shortest letter with only one chapter of 25 verses, written to an individual in a graceful way , the only New Testament book that talks about the Roman slavery ( where 6 crores of people were slaves) and shows how the early church dealt with the problem of slavery. Though it seems personal, written to Philemon, he addresses few others and to “the church” that meets in his house V1&2 , thus indicating the role of the church in such matters.
Slavery was an integral part of the ancient world. A master had absolute power over his slaves who were treated worse than the enemies, in fact, he was not a person, but a tool. According to the Roman law, if a run away slave was found, he would be punished in many ways,from branding his forehead with hot iron to the worst of being crucified to death. Paul knew all this and is taking a great risk of sending Onesimus back to his master.
Paul would have liked to keep Onesimus with him V.13 & 14, but he sends him back to his legal owner , because ‘ he did not want to do anything without his consent ‘(v.14) and if Philemon wants, Onesimus could be s
Here Paul is not attacking slavery directly which will be provoking the government authorities, but sets forth the principles of Christianity which removed harshness of slavery and finally banished altogether with the Christian concepts.
Paul has sown the seeds of emancipation in these words and may be that is the reason why Holy Spirit has included this letter in The Bible.
Today, we have racism, castism and untouchability which are different shades of slavery – not only in our society, but ‘”within the church”. Let’s pray that the church should not tolerate and encourage such things, but, eradicate it totally. As Paul includes church in the decision making, it the Duty of the CHURCH to ‘ uproot and tear down’ ( jer-1:10) the social evils.
The world stands in need of Liberation,my LORD ,
It still has to learn to LOVE.