RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT ONESIMUS AS A SERVANT (PHM 1: 11-14)

RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT ONESIMUS AS A SERVANT (PHM 1: 11-14):

Paul conveys to Philemon that formerly, Onesimus was useless to him, but then he is indeed useful to him and Philemon. And Paul conveys that he is sending him back to Philemon, sending his very heart. Onesimus, being one of the slave servants of Philemon, seems not to be sincere, faithful, and responsible because of his selfish desires and interests. Philemon would have surely been upset about Onesimus and his works. But after his association with Paul and after he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, his attitude and his works became better, and he became beneficial to Paul because he had experienced. Paul hopes that Onesimus has also become beneficial to Philemon, and he sends him back to Philemon with a burdened heart. As it was the custom that the slaves needed to be subjected to their masters till their period of serving was over or till the master set them free, Paul wanted to send Onesimus back to Philemon, without being judgmental over that.

Paul expresses his affection for Onesimus that he would have been glad to keep him with him so that he might serve him on Philemon’s behalf during his imprisonment for the gospel, but he preferred to do nothing without their consent so that their goodness might not be by compulsion but of their own accord. Paul is very much impressed by the transformation of Onesimus, and he is very much pleased by his service, which compels him to keep him with him. Being a good friend and co-worker of Philemon, he even adds that Onesimus might be present with him continually and serve the way he would directly be with him at the time of his sentence to prison for the sake of the gospel. At the same time, Paul doesn’t want to take advantage of the authority and relationship for his benefit, but instead, he allows things to be according to the willingness of Philemon with his whole heart, as he decides by himself. On the other hand, Paul emphasizes and exaggerates in this way to persuade Philemon to prepare himself to accept him, for Onesimus had become useful.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection

1.     Where does Paul send Onesimus? Why?

2.     What does Paul mention about sending Onesimus? Why?

3.     In what way will Paul be glad?

4.     How could Onesimus have served Paul on behalf of Philemon?

5.     What did Paul prefer?

6.     Why didn’t Paul want to do anything without the consent of Philemon?

7.     What does Paul mean by saying, ‘goodness might not be compulsion but of own accord’?

8.     How shall we show kindness and goodness to others without compulsion?

9.     How do we avoid our self-interests or avoid exploiting others for our benefit and do what is right at any cost?

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