ONESIMUS - (Paul in Rome)
ONESIMUS
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
June 15, 2015, the Year of Our Lord
Today as I was preaching this, the Holy Spirit began to weep through me. The tenderness, love, duty and selflessness demonstrated by Paul on behalf of Onesimus; but also the respect and honor shown to Philemon is a demonstration of the power of the love of God.
Paul’s defense of Onesimus shows a right, noble, and lovely example of Christian love. Paul laid himself out for the poor Onesimus. With all grace Paul pleads his cause with his master, Philemon. Even as Christ did for us with Father God, thus also does Paul for Onesimus with Philemon.
Christ also stripped Himself of his right, and by love and humility pleads with the Father to lay aside His wrath and power to take us to His grace for the sake of Christ. Jesus Christ is our advocate at the right hand of God pleading our cause and with all His heart laid Himself out for us---for we are all His Onesimi.
Onesimus, a slave of Philemon in Colossae fled to Rome reimbursing himself at his Master’s expense. There meeting Paul, whether by deliberate choice in seeking help, or by providence, he was converted.
The letter was written during the two years Paul was in his “hired house” in Rome. It is generally assumed that Apphia was Philemon’s wife and perhaps Archippus was their son. To this household church, Paul sends a message of grace and peace.
The story of Onesimus is embodied in one of the most perfect Epistles that was ever written; a pattern of letter-writing; a mode of beauty, tact, and delicate consideration, which we would all benefit through study.
The letter is celebrated certainly as part of the Holy Writ, but also by scholars and writers for its terseness and elegance; but more important the refined art and courtesy of Christian love transcends the skills even of cultured Romans.
As with all the Epistles written during Paul’s first imprisonment, the joyous and animated tones of the letters transcend his circumstances. Whatever might be his outer circumstances, it is evident the illustrious captive himself, the unabashed freeman of Christ, had not become a prey to depression and gloominess; on the contrary, he was a possessor of inner light and peace---that elastic energy of soul which can only reflect the glory of God. The words continue to echo through the ages as effusions of holy joy from the prisoner of the Lord.
With great joy he writes to Philemon. All the grace and loveliness of a manly soul breathes through this little letter beseeching Philemon to place to his account, as partner, anything which Onesimus (once servant, now a brother) might be indebted.
Onesimus means “useful” or “profitable” “In times past to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me” (Vs. 11).
There are three individuals who divide the interest of the letter---the Apostle Paul, Philemon, and his slave Onesimus.
The world at that time even the most civilized portion was then cursed with slavery; and no country more so than Phrygia, of which Colosse was the capital. When St. Paul wrote his epistle to the Colossians, he specifically instructed the Christians there, as to the mutual respect and duties of masters and servants.
Onesimus stood as a slave in his relation to Philemon. The God-given yearning for independence and liberty motivated him to desert his master, and worse robbed him.
In the case of Onesimus, we see the power of the Gospel to reclaim the most worthless and degraded with the love of Christ which can never be understood except by those who have been redeemed by it.
Rome both from its magnitude and dense population would be the best place for a fugitive to conceal himself. The slave of Colosse would most probably have plunged into the lowest abyss of society. He was an outlaw alike from God and man.
One link alone still bound him to the possibility of a higher life and a better hope. His master had become a Christian. Not unlikely, the apostle may have visited the house of the wealthy Gentiles, on the occasion of his second missionary journey, as he passed through Phrygia---and there seen and heard by the slave (Acts 18:23).
Of course, we know by the providence of God, these two extremes of moral and spiritual life, now met at Rome. The pure and noble-minded Paul confronted the debased Onesimus.
The distinctive peculiarity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it is a gospel for the poor---“To the poor the Gospel is preached” (Lk. 7:22). The humbler classes of the vast capital would have heard of the Jewish preacher who told of the Divine Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who is a restorer of the suffering, fallen and lost.
The word does not tell us how he came to Paul, but to Paul he did come. Governments of all nations in those days gave their masters unlimited power over the slaves----even to the loss of life.
Onesimus, in course of time, under Paul’s teaching and training became far more than a convert. The once runaway slave has been transformed into a lowly friend and fellow-helper. We know from Paul’s words, that the Lord had not only saved him, but obviously called him and set him apart for the work of the ministry.
The Eastern Church records Onesimus’ returned to Rome. He is again mentioned in Colossians 4:9 as one of the delegates sent to Colosse carrying the Epistle to the Colossians. Legend records with some certainty that he was martyred in Rome in A.D. 68 either by stoning or beheading.
Let us perceive the depth of Paul’s unselfishness in this letter to Philemon. He defends Onesimus not only with a personal appreciation, as a monument of the grace of God, but as one called and set aside to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
He was such a help to Paul that the apostle says that it is a great sacrifice for him to send him back to his master. But duty was ever paramount with Paul and personal considerations secondary. He can make no selfish claim to retaining services so valuable until he gets the sanctions from Philemon.
In a spirit of noble self-denial and deference for the rights of others, he surrenders his own wishes and claims. The journey is a long one and will take several months. But there can be no deflection from the path of duty and honorable obligation.
Onesimus must personal go back to Philemon. He must confront his old master face to face. If he returns to Rome, he must do so with Philemon’s full approval.
Paul touchingly brings before Philemon the new relationship which the Gospel has established between himself and his former slave. He asked (vs. 16) that he be now received back, not as a slave, but as “above a servant, nay as a brother beloved.” He assures him that kindly sympathy and consideration bestowed on Onesimus would be accepted by Paul in the light of a personal blessing. “If you count me a partner, receive him as myself. If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put that on my account. I, Paul have written it with my own hand. I will repay it (Vs. 17-19).
With this letter in hand, Onesimus proceeds to Colosse. They were now children of a common Father---members of one spiritual brotherhood.
“Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.” With rare tack and courtesy Paul discharges this duty.
The reconciliation of those at variance is a difficult and ungracious task. More often than not these who are at odds will turn on the reconciler. As a pastor, I have had it happen to me more than once. You count the cost and discharge your duty.
Philemon had good cause to feel strongly that his rights had been violated. St Paul never for a moment grounds his plea on rights or justice; that would have been repudiated. He does not deny or even conceal the gravity of the wrong. He concedes it.
He ventures not further, at first, than asking forgiveness---then he hints by implication a larger measure of kindness and generosity on the grounds of Christian principle. The Apostle touches the tenderest chord that Onesimus is one of the sons he has begotten in the Gospel (vs. 19). Then he throws himself on the goodness of his friend. This, too, can be dangerous and friends can be lost when asked for favors. “Having confidence in your obedience, I wrote to you knowing that you will do more than I say” (Vs. 21).
Right and might could have done nothing in this case; but love and Christian kindness triumph. This is a principle that is always required of us in the ministry. Our righteous indignation means nothing in the balance of love and Christian kindness.
Paul does not speak to his natural man, but to the spiritual man, the new regenerated being. He speaks to Philemon as a Christian and his plunderer has been forgiven by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
As I mentioned earlier, we have reason to believe that slave was soon back again in Rome by the side of his spiritual father to tell to others the story of freedom and rights to citizenship in the Kingdom of God.
The Apostle is the model of a Christian mediator and pacificator. Philemon is the model of a Christian layman. His character described by Paul in this letter is all that one could wish to see in a Christian man.
Philemon was not a mere loving man filled with natural goodness and kindliness of heart. “Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints (Vs. 5).
This love was not a mere sentiment; it had been “manifested”. It was a matter of notoriety. The Apostle tells us it had caused himself great joy and consolation. “Because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee brother.” To this faith and love was added prayer. His two sister graces were strengthened at the incense-altar. There was a long way between Rome and Colosse. But there is no distance in prayer.
Paul here states of is hope which was not unfounded that he would receive a release from his imprisonment. When he received it, he knew that he would be largely indebted to the intercession of his loving distant friends. “Meanwhile prepare me a lodging, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you” (vs. 22).
This letter is written to a kind, charitable, just, and generous man---willing to be guided in what is right. Philemon, and such as he, whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, are the pillars of the truth, the living evidences of living Christianity. Let us aspire to become epistles known and read of all men---the faith which works by love” and purifies the heart and overcomes the world.”
Christians let us not complain and groan about the state of the world until we can rise up to the stand of faith which works by love and purifies our heart so we are not only overcoming the circumstances of our world, but the nations of the world.
“Good-will to men” was one note of the triple of song at the birth of Christ. This is the description and whole design of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Those who are surly, quarrelsome, peevish and moody have yet the first lessons of Christianity to learn.
Courtesy is a cheap way of showing kindness. It costs little, but it is worth much. The noblest type of man/woman ---the noblest work of God is the Christian Gentleman or Gentle-woman.
Two of the greatest specimens of Christian gentlemen in the Bible are Philemon and the Roman Centurion. See their kindnesses---the one to his slave, the other to his military servant and subordinate.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Love Christ first; and if that love is perfect, it must make itself known by countless manifestations all around, as well as in our own character; in mollifying the temper; curbing arrogance; restraining pride; destroying selfishness; in generous consideration for the wishes, wants, weaknesses, and even the foibles of others. “Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Col. 3: 12-15).
We have no further record of Onesimus. In the Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, A.D. 107, he commends Onesimus, their Bishop. I can’t make that connection. Because it is believed the Onesimus of this episode in Paul’s Roman life was martyred in A.D. 68, it is not reasonable there is any connection--- but two different men.
We have this beautiful letter of the transforming power of the Gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. In this case Onesimus was the most miserable of sinners. This beautiful promise has been realized by innumerable multitude now in glory, and will be further fulfilled in the lives of other sinners who have not hope until they, too, come face to face with their Savior.
“Though you have lain among the pots, yet shall you be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.”
Postscript: On Monday evening after finishing this study of several hours, I was greatly blessed by the preparation of the study and deeply moved by the Holy Spirit. It was late when I finished, so I went straight to bed. As I began to drift off to sleep, but was still awake, I had a mini-vision of what I believe to be the angel of Onesimus. For those of you who may be skeptical, it could not have been a familiar spirit or an evil spirit. I had been for many hours praying and in the Word of God. The Word of God had taken me high into the Spirit. His appearance was Arabic with black hair and brown eyes. He was muscular and stocky. His attire was similar to a Roman soldier or perhaps a slave. However, his nationality would have been Asia Minor as he was from Colosse.
Carolyn Sissom, Preacher
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V. I entered into the labors of John Ross MacDuff (1818-1895), Saint Paul In Rome--- in the public domain.