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More Philemon commentaries
Philemon 1:1-7
Paul writes to Philemon from prison
Philemon 1:8-17
Plea for forgiveness
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Philemon 1:1-7
Paul writes to Philemon from prison
Philemon 1:8-17
Plea for forgiveness
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Plea for forgiveness
Philemon 1:8–17
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A story is told about a town where a horse bolted and ran away with a wagon carrying a little boy. Seeing the child in danger, a young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon. The child who was saved grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood be … More
Paul makes a strong plea for Philemon to forgive Onesimus for running away and stealing from him and to welcome him back (vv. 8-9). Paul’s mention that he is aged and also a prisoner was probably made to gain Philemon’s approval. Paul must have been nearly sixty years old at that time and certainly he was a missionary statesman by anyone’s statutes, and by anyone’s standard.
Paul refers to Onesimus as a son in the faith to Paul (v. 10) and a brother to Philemon (v. 16). He says that before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me and sending him back to you makes me very sad (vv. 11-12). I would like to keep him here helping me while I am in prison for preaching the good news but I won’t do anything unless you agree to it first as I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do (vv. 13-14). Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so that you could have him back for good, but not as a slave (v. 15). Paul’s deep affection and admiration for Onesimus must have been evident to Philemon as he even exhorts Philemon to receive him as he would Paul himself (v. 17). Though Onesimus was still Philemon’s slave, and as far as we know remained such, in Christ he was a brother and a joint-heir with Paul and Philemon. Christian bonds transcend human barriers and exceed more earthly relationships.
Application
Just as Paul plead with Philemon to forgive Onesimus for stealing from him and running away the Lord wants me to forgive those who may do things that hurt me.
Philemon 1:8-17 (English Standard Version)
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus-- I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother--especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
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