For my son Onesimus

“that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.” (Philemon 1:10)

 

People say textbookly Christianity is a religion of love usually. If somebody actually asks on that matter, how do people answer? Paul the Apostle is a man who delivered Christ through philosophical theories and doctrine. And yet he was a person who had practiced faith and love himself. In Rome the prison, Paul sent an epistle to Philemon asking tolerance for Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave who had fled out of his master, Philemon. Paul asked favor Philemon in a polite manner for Onesimus, who had become a brother of faith in Christ. In case of asking favor or being asked, two must have been equipped in humanly quality to communicate one another.

 

In the Book of Philemon, Paul, Philemon, Onesimus, three names appeared as main characters. Paul was locked up in Roman prison that time. Philemon was Paul’s co-worker, a faithful Christian layman from a wealthy family like Paul. Onesimus was a slave to the household of Philemon, but he stole money from his master and fled, and met Paul in a Roman prison and became a person of Christ. People display various differences each other in the family, academic background, status, and career. Nevertheless, when they receive Jesus Christ as a savior, everyone becomes spiritual sibling. People usually don’t feel easy to accept things different from oneself. Even after certain people had became Christians, they don’t throw away such attitudes. Even if we can’t execute active love, shouldn’t have an emotion of discrimination and jealousy to others at least.

 

A lot of knowledge and the ability to speak well are also needed, but the faith in love that is practiced is more important. Paul was an apostle who had both the former and the latter all. It wasn’t because of any personal or social crime that he had been locked up in Roman prison. He became imprison only because of the name Jesus Christ. One who lives for Christ, is not afraid of changing the situation, and the person tries to deal with everything with gratitude and active will. Then the Lord will give him a new and useful path. Even in prison life where he was not free, Paul preached the gospel to many people. Onesimus was the son of faith that Paul gave birth to when Paul had been in prison. Onesimus also faithfully fulfilled own role as a henchman for Paul.

 

Paul sent Onesimus to Philemon with certain intentions. He hoped that Onesimus would be accepted as a brother of faith, and that by receiving the consent of his master, Philemon’s good deeds would be arbitrary, and that he intended to work together to be expanded the gospel of Christ finally. When Onesimus had been outside Christ, he had been a thief and a slave. And he was only a fugitive prisoner. Thus he was useless to anybodies. But by receiving the faith in Christ, he became a very beneficial man to Paul and to Philemon. Like that, the pure change in faith bears an amazing result. Just as you have to eat apples to know the taste of apples, you have to believe in Christ to know Christ who He is. And if you believe in Christ, you can show appearances of the change not only to yourself but also to others.

 

Paul’s cultivated gentlemanliness were really excellent. As an apostle, as a teacher, Paul was able to instruct to Philemon and act his way. But he didn’t do that. He said he would not do anything as he pleases without Philemon’s consent. Even if Paul decides without listening to Philemon’s opinion, Philemon will follow, but Paul wanted Philemon’s arbitrary good deeds. For anybody, self-made decisions and actions produce untired effects. Not only do young people choose their career paths, but so do the matter to decide hobbies and businesses. Unless it is about God’s absolute command, it is desirable to think and choose everything for oneself. Then his future can proceed to be successful. We can learn from Paul the cultivation, virtue, and specially educational methods of Christians.

 

The Book of Philemon is entirely an epistle in which Onesimus appears as the main character. He asked to accept Onesimus, who had gained a new life by faith, as a beloved brother, but moreover, to accept Paul himself as if he welcomed. Even if there is any mistake or if there is any debt to pay off, Paul promised to bear for it instead of Onesimus. And he was sure that Philemon would gladly accept one’s request, wishing to live in joy and peace in Christ. What a beautiful relationship they have!

 

(Written by Koonoh, Pastor of JDO Presbyterian Church in Korea, on Feb 26th 2023)