A Letter to Philemon

 

Apostle Paul wrote lots of letters; letters to entire congregations and letters to individuals. One of the latter, was a letter to Philemon, his friend and brother in Christ.

When the apostle was in prison, he met a runaway slave named Onesimus, who became a follower of Jesus Christ. As it turned out, Onesimus had been owned by Philemon, and he wanted to return to his former master to make amends.

So, Paul intervenes by writing a letter to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf, asking him to accept and welcome Onesimus, not as a slave but as a Christian brother.

In his leadership role, Apostle Paul would not have been out of place in commanding Philemon to welcome Onesimus back as a brother in Christ, however, even though he gave his friend several reasons why he should, he really wanted Philemon to freely act on Christian principles rather than being forced to comply.

but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. (v 14 NASB 1995)

It is a warm personal letter from one friend to another based on Christian fellowship. Paul writes with tact and in love, starting the letter with gratitude to God, then in praise of Philemon before persuading his friend to forgive and receive his former slave. Paul continues this brief letter with a further appeal for Onesimus’ freedom.

Paul’s letter to Philemon is a lesson in grace and reconciliation and challenges everything we think we know about forgiveness and lovingkindness.

How is Philemon, a wealthy Christian master, supposed to welcome back, with open arms, his runaway slave, as a brother in Christ?

How do we welcome and accept those who want to return to the fold after having “runaway” from church via behaviour that is considered unacceptable?

How do we receive former congregants who have literally runaway from church for years and want to return as bona fide members of the congregation?

This short and exquisitely written letter forces us to confront difficult questions about the equality that is supposed to be found in the family of God; it sheds light directly on how we ought to deal with divisions, disappointment, distrust and hurt we face in our various churches.

Beloved, Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Philemon between 61to 63 AD that applies to all of us today. He was persuading Philemon then and us now, to release the chains of resentment, find freedom in forgiveness, embrace true reconciliation no matter the offense and see others as Christ sees them, regardless of social status or past behaviour.

I encourage you to read the 25 verses of Philemon for yourself and I pray that the wisdom contained therein will resonate with you.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “A Letter to Philemon” © 2026 June 29, 2026