Funny how you can find yourself challenged to consider unexpected things in unexpected places in scripture.
Case in point is the only letter among the Apostle Paul’s private correspondence included in the New Testament canon. One commentator writes:
[Paul’s] vigor and activity of mind were so great, his affections were so warm and tender, and his acquaintances and friends throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and Syria were so numerous, that he could hardly fail to have correspondents in many lands; and we may wonder that only a single letter should have remained out of so many.
Well, I hadn’t actually wondered until I read this.
The purpose of this letter was to address a tough issue: How will an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ deal with an escaped slave who has come to Christ, but who is owned by a Christian and friend of the apostle?
At some point in his ministry, Paul had met a wealthy man named Philemon who became a Christian under his ministry. The two men developed a warm personal friendship.
Now, in autumn of A.D. 63, Paul has been under a long house arrest at the end of his first imprisonment in Rome. Friends and other believers are able to visit and bring him food and clothing. In fact, he writes several of his epistles during this time. And, of course, he continues to share the gospel at every opportunity. Now, due to the effect of that ministry, an escaped slave has become a Christian.
Escaped from where? From the household of Philemon in Colosse—a Greek colony in Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey.
Slavery, as we are well aware, was endemic in all empires of the ancient world. And, for the Greeks, the interior of Asia Minor was a chief source of slaves. Greeks were much more abusive to slaves than Romans, who now ruled Greece and much of the known world. Although slave traders were considered “disreputable”, their “goods” were also considered indispensable to the life of wealthy households.
The young escapee, Onesimus, has somehow managed to travel a thousand miles from Colosse to Rome, where it would be easy to disappear. How did he fund his journey? By stealing from his owner. A thieving slave, once caught, had an ugly, possibly very short, future. Yet, miraculously, his path crossed that of believers in Rome and he was brought to Paul, where he was converted.
What, now, should be done?
A letter, of course. Its twenty five verses are a skillfully crafted template for:
- doing the right thing and
- appealing for the right thing to be done.
Paul begins with warm personal greetings, and also sends greetings to the church that meets in Philemon’s house. But, the pressing problem is addressed quickly. Your slave, he writes, has come to Christ under my ministry. He has been a significant problem for you, but is now profitable for us both. And then, bluntly, I am sending him back.
It is obvious that Paul struggled with this decision. Onesimus had proven himself genuinely converted and a great comfort to the aged apostle.
But this appeal required extraordinary tact and skill. Should Paul, with the full weight of his apostolic authority, demand the freedom of the slave? He then risks damaging his influence not just with Philemon, but with the entire church fellowship. He must persuade without alienating.
And so, with a voice of fatherly love, I am sending him back. I desired to keep him here with me that he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But I will make no decisions in this matter without your consent.
There is something else to consider as well. Perhaps this young man departed so that you could one day receive him back, not as a slave, but as brother.
Paul then offers (and I wonder if this made Philemon smile) to personally repay any funds stolen by Onesimus. He closes expressing confidence that Philemon will do the right thing.
Onesimus returns to Colosse accompanied by Tychicus. a trusted and frequent companion of Paul’s. Tychicus also bears Paul’s letter to the Colossians in which Paul refers to Onesimus as “a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you”.
Paul demonstrated how powerful words under the direction of the Holy Spirit can pour oil on potentially volatile situations. He also demonstrated his own declaration: “There is neither Jew nor Greek. . .slave nor free. . .male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When faced with a thorny dilemma, he did the right thing—and appealed in the light of the Gospel for the right thing to be done.
It is a beautiful little letter. I will never read it quite the same again. I hope you will be encouraged as I am to pray for the discernment and wisdom and generosity of spirit we need to deal with any “runaway” situation God may allow in our lives.