He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
Summary: This passage introduces us to the subject of another letter Paul wrote which we know as “Philemon.” In the letter, we learn about Onesimus and his very interesting life story.
Obviously, traveling alone on foot over one thousand miles is not on the Triple AAA list of “Top Ten Safe Vacations.” Paul himself talks about fighting off “wild beasts” when he was in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 15:32). He also mentions the dangers of traveling by sea (shipwrecks!), not to mention crossing rivers and dealing with roving bandits (2 Corinthians 11:26).
It took courage in those days to venture out, and if we knew nothing else about Tychicus other than he was willing to travel the world to carry a message to a distant church, we would know he was brave. But he didn’t go alone. Onesimus traveled with him.
Who is Onesimus (on-ay’-sim-os) you ask?
If you turn to the book of Philemon near the back of your Bible, you can read all about him. He was a slave who belonged to Philemon and ran away. Somehow, Onesimus found his way to Paul while Paul was still in prison.
The irony is rich here.
Paul, no longer a Pharisee but a servant of Christ, often refers to himself as a slave (Romans 7:25). When Onesimus, a slave, finds Paul, Paul is the one in chains, and Onesimus is walking free.
Paul, the prisoner, writes a letter to Philemon, the man who owns Onesimus. In doing so, he does two important things.
First, he sends Onesimus home. This must have been extremely hard for Onesimus to do. Who knows what he would be going back to? Slaves were considered property in those days, and the punishment for running away was probably severe.
It is worth noting that Onesimus obeyed Paul and went home. In effect, he “turned himself in.” He overcame both the fear of punishment and the shame of being a runaway. The reason he was able to do this was, simply put, because of the power of Jesus Christ to change hearts.
This brings us to the second thing Paul did: He gave Onesimus a letter for Philemon.
In the letter Paul describes how Onesimus had become like a son to him (Philemon 1:10). Paul is old and tired and Onesimus has apparently been a great help to him. He pleads with Philemon to consider Onesimus to be a brother rather than a slave. Paul adds, “If he … owes you anything, charge it to me” (Philemon 1:17).
Apparently, Philemon agreed. Here we see Onesimus with Paul once again. This time he calls him his “faithful and dear brother.”
Application: Jesus can redeem anyone!
Food for Thought: What does it tell us about Philemon that Paul first called him “son” (Philemon 1:10) and now calls him brother?
It would appear that he was his son in the faith in that Paul initially shared the gospel with him and started his discipleship.
But it is also true that all who are in Christ are brothers and sisters with God as our spiritual parent. It is said that God has no grandchildren, only children. It shows both we’re trusting in the same Father and are part of the same family. That is true for all of us who are in Christ.
Thank you, Rich!
I like your comment about “no grandchildren, only children.”
You are emphasizing that we each have a personal Father in God.
What a wonderful feeling! 🙂
What does it tell us about Philemon that Paul first called him “son” (Philemon 1:10) and now calls him brother?
Pauls letter is written in the Spirit as He writes a splendidly worded letter to Philemon, a brother in Christ.
V7, Paul reminds Philemon of their bond as brothers in Christ.
V10-11, Paul appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus who he considers his son. Who came as a child and is now returning as a mature adult. Transformed from useless to useful.
V15, Paul suggests the temporary separation of Onesimus was to establish an eternal reunion.
V16, Paul speaks to how Onesimus is actually very dear to both men.
V17, Paul asks Onesimus be welcomed just as Philemon would welcome Paul himself.
V18, Paul writes if Onesimus has done anything, charge it against Paul.
V19, Paul reminds Philemon, He owes Paul for his leading to become all he has become, all he is.
V7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever.
16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
Thank you, Ron!
I’m hearing a lot of “love” in your thoughts about Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus.
I like the answers both Rich and Ron have given. I liked this devotion because I learned a lot in reading and meditation on Philemon.
What does it tell us about Philemon that Paul first called him “son” (Philemon 1:10) and now calls him brother?
I think the simplest answer to this question is that after Paul’s letter Philemon valued relationship over possession. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he appeals to Philemon to look beyond what he is owed and look to what he can give from what he has been given. To view Onesimus as Christ views Onesimus, and to relinquish his claim for Onesimus to Christ. It does appear that Philemon took this to heart.
Well said, Chris.
Seeing others as Christ sees them is at the heart of the Gospel message.
I likked this comment and how the person who posted it actually applies it in their life and can be seen in their character.
“Seeing others as Christ sees them is at the heart of the Gospel message.”
Thank you, Tim.
What you are seeing is the power of Jesus Christ to change a life.