At the heart of Philemon is an important question: “What does restoration look like when relationships have been badly damaged?” Onesimus, who has apparently participated in a theft, is now in hiding like a fugitive. Local laws at the time would not have treated Onesimus with any leniency. In fact, Philemon could have argued in court for Onesimus’ death as an act of vengeance.
One of the most beautiful components of the letter is Paul’s Christ-like engagement as he actively contends for Onesimus’s restoration. He offers to pay the debt Onesimus owes. In fact, Paul’s description of what Onesimus means to him, and his constant intercession, is extremely Christ-like. Paul refers to Onesimus tenderly, referring to him as his “child” and his “heart.” Jeal observes that “The letter was meant to affect Philemon intellectually, emotionally, and behaviorally and to do so directly in the context of his faith as a Christ-believer.”1
Paul’s letter aims to change the relational environment in which Onesimus will live. Paul’s letter catalyzes that change before Onesimus returns, creating a new relational framework for Onesimus and Philemon. Onesimus was formerly enslaved, but now he is a brother. Paul hopes Philemon can personally witness Onesimus’ changed heart and transformed life. Onesimus’ new identity in Christ had become a blessing to Paul and would also bless Philemon. Onesimus would come to prophetically embody the meaning of his name, which comes from the Greek word onēsimos, which means “useful,” “profitable,” or “helpful.”
Paul advocates forgiveness, which is at the heart of Christian living, but he also asks Philemon to reconsider how he views Onesimus so he can receive him differently. Worldly social norms heavily influenced the previous relational dynamic, but in the New Kingdom, their new dynamic is rooted in their shared identity in Christ. It was a socially disruptive perspective given the institution of slavery at that time.
The framework in the letter to Philemon is three-dimensional. The framework starts with forgiveness, leads to reconciliation, and ends with restoration. Paul wants a release of the debt, a mutual acknowledgment that Philemon and Onesimus are no longer enemies, and for Onesimus to be a part of Philemon’s life again.
Paul writes a compelling letter to Philemon that tugs at the heartstrings and embodies multiple messages embedded within the larger Gospel narrative. Johnson and Williams believe that Philemon “deserves as much attention as Romans, Galatians and the Corinthian correspondence and should be situated within those letters’ conceptual framework. This would enable scholars to appreciate Paul’s position on such issues as law and grace, faith and works, judgment and redemption.”2 The letter to Philemon needed to be included in the larger canon because the issue of reconciliation and restoration is one the church has grappled with throughout the ages. Relationships can be repaired after rupture, and Paul demonstrates this in his letter to Philemon.
1 Jeal, Roy R. “Exploring Philemon: Freedom, Brotherhood, and Partnership in the New Society.” Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity, no. 2. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015, 1.
2 Johnson, Matthew V. “Onesimus Our Brother: Reading Religion, Race, and Culture in Philemon.” 1st ed. With James Gerard Noel and Demetrius K. Williams. Paul in Critical Contexts. Lanham: 1517 Media, 2012, 1.
