The New Testament often paints its greatest truths with the broadest brush strokes. From it we get the big picture about the ministry of reconciliation, being ambassadors for Christ, and being compelled by love. But with these grand principles, the New Testament also sketches smaller portraits that show us what these truths look like in practice, up close and in person.<\/p>\n
Philemon is one of these little pictures. As Paul\u2019s shortest letter, coming in at only 335 words (in Greek), it is a treasure of practical Christian reconciliation and all it implies for our personal and social relationships. In this \u201cSpotlight,\u201d we focus on the marvelous story of Philemon, Onesimus, and the peacemaker who restored broken relationships and transcended the institutions that divided them.<\/p>\n
The epistle gives the barest of detail about our two estranged fellows. Philemon is a householder and slave master, apparently of some means and status. He is also a \u201cbeloved friend and fellow laborer\u201d of Paul\u2019s who has a church in his house (vv. 1, 2). Onesimus is a lowly runaway slave. Under Paul\u2019s influence, he has come to faith in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
This scanty description entices questions: What happened to Onesimus? Why did he run? Who was at fault? We don\u2019t have the answers. We are left with only the wide gulf that divides them. But this thinnest of outlines allows us to focus on Paul and how he actively pursues peace and bridges the gap as ambassador and advocate to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Let\u2019s attend closely to his master class on peacemaking.<\/p>\n
Verses 1-3, 22-25:<\/strong> At the beginning and end of the letter, Paul identifies himself as \u201ca prisoner of Christ Jesus.\u201d As a good soldier, he has been faithful to the cause of Christ in which they are all \u201cfellow laborers.\u201d They are united by \u201cthe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d These words frame not only the epistle but also the gospel work itself and Paul\u2019s high expectations for it. Because we have \u201cpeace from God our Father,\u201d the \u201cchurch in your house\u201d is indicative of a new family in Christ. Throughout the book\u2019s twenty-five verses, Paul repeatedly refers to all parties affectionately as \u201cbrothers.\u201d<\/p>\n Verses 4-7: <\/strong>Having established Jesus as the bridge that binds us, Paul turns to his friend Philemon. He expresses his thankfulness and prayers to God for Philemon, and commends him for the \u201clove and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.\u201d Paul praises him, not for his status or standing but for \u201cthe sharing of your faith\u201d and the \u201cconsolation in your love.\u201d He acknowledges the joyous refreshing Philemon has given to \u201cthe hearts of the saints.\u201d<\/p>\n Verses 8-16: <\/strong>Having established that Philemon is a man of faith and love, Paul is ready to make his appeal on those same grounds on Onesimus\u2019 behalf. Paul could command and coerce Philemon to do what is right, by the weight of his authority, \u201cyet for love\u2019s sake I rather appeal to you.\u201d The same love that motivates Philemon is what moves Paul to empty himself for Onesimus\u2019 sake. This love has transformed the runaway slave into Paul\u2019s own son, and Paul appeals to Philemon to receive him as his \u201cown heart.\u201d The self-emptying love of Christ defines all three men and requires that Philemon not act by external compulsion but by voluntary love. When he does, every boundary that separates them will be transcended. In this reconciliation, Philemon is called to receive Onesimus with divine acceptance, \u201cno longer as a slave but more than a slave \u2014 a beloved brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Verses 17-22:<\/strong> Paul and Philemon are partners in this ministry of reconciliation. The same sacrificial love that moves Philemon to receive Onesimus as an equal brother in Christ moves Paul to give also: \u201cif he . . . owes anything, put that on my account.\u201d Paul is confident that Philemon will be obedient to this love, and in the process, he will bring joy and refreshing to Paul\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n The book of Philemon vibrantly illustrates what an ambassador for Christ does in actively pursuing peace: orient all parties as brethren in Christ; acknowledge the faith and love that animates them; appeal to, rather than coerce, voluntary and sacrificial action from the heart; and recognize the shared partnership that is in Christ and can transcend every personal and institutional division.<\/p>\n In 335 words, Paul drew a picture that challenges us today. It still breaks down every barrier and bridges every gulf, if we would let it. When we do, our own lives become God\u2019s masterpiece and we, ambassadors of peace.<\/p>\n \u201cThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen\u201d (v. 25).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The New Testament often paints its greatest truths with the broadest brush strokes. From it we get the big picture about the ministry of reconciliation, being ambassadors for Christ, and being compelled by love. But with these grand principles, the New Testament also sketches smaller portraits that show us what these truths look like in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":26013,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","castos_file_data":"","podmotor_file_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,1036],"tags":[1166,140,1165,1167],"yoast_head":"\n