That Useful Man Onesimus
THAT USEFUL MAN ONESIMUS
PHILEMON 8-25
We read of Christ’s transformation of one man and this man’s responsibility to do what was right.
From this section of the letter we are able to gather what had happened. Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon’s (v.16), but had run away, possibly robbing his master before he left (v.18). He did what many other escaping slaves did, and went to the big city where it would be almost impossible to find him. But somehow he had been brought into contact with Paul the prisoner and Paul had been the means of his conversion (v.10). Now questions arose: what is the place of a runaway slave who has become a Christian? What should be done about the fact that legally he is still the property of his owner?
Paul is clear on the matter. Onesimus must go back. He is a Christian, and a Christian respects the rights of others no matter at what inconvenience to himself. So Paul sends him back to his master. It must have been difficult for him but he does it. It must also have been difficult for Onesimus. After all, he had made good his escape and was presumably safe from recapture. Voluntarily to go back to the slavery from which he had broken free could not have been easy, quite apart from the fact that he must face whatever penalties were involved in his having escaped in the first instance. He might feel that Philemon would not be hard on him, but he could not be sure. But he was a Christian. And that meant that he must do what was right even if it meant hardship.
This letter, then, is Paul’s attempt to ensure that Onesimus is well treated when he returns. It has been held up as a model of tact, as the apostle gently but persistently pleads for one who quite plainly had become very dear to him (v.12). He could command (v.8), but prefers that Philemon should act of his own free will (v.14). But he does remind his friend of what he owes to Paul (v.19), and of the value Onesimus the Christian would be to his master (v.16).
Paul makes something of the meaning of the name Onesimus, “profitable” or “useful.” Formerly, this man had done anything but live up to his name. Now Christ had transformed this unpromising person and he is a valued helper of Paul’s (v.13); he is “the faithful and beloved brother” (Colossians 4:9).