Wednesday, April 26
Philemon 17 – So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
Let us consider the three different perspectives of the three people within this passage.
- Philemon: This letter is named after him because he is the one this letter was written to (v1). Philemon was the master/owner of a slave, named Onesimus. Philemon was “wronged” (v18) or defrauded in some way by his slave, Onesimus. Philemon–a believer in Christ–is being strongly encouraged to FORGIVE Onesimus and accept him as a fellow Christian; in the same way that Philemon accepts Paul as a co-laborer for the gospel. Put simply, Philemon is being asked toFORGIVE.
- Onesimus: He is the runaway “slave” of Philemon who “wronged” (and/or defrauded) his former master/owner (Philemon) before he (Onesimus) became a believer. Now that Onesimus is a believer, he is being asked to OBEY and do the right thing; to return to Philemon (v12). It is important for Onesimus to reconcile with his distant master/owner so that they can partner together–as brothers–in the work of the Lord and as a witness for Christ. Put simply, Onesimus is being asked to OBEY.
- Paul: He is the writer of this letter to Philemon. Paul has given instruction to both parties involved: Philemon and Onesimus. Paul is trying to instill in them the “mind of Christ” (described in Philippians 2:1-11). Paul wants them to RECONCILE so that their partnering/sharing of the gospel of Christ might be “effective” (v6). Through their willingness to forgive and obey, they would–even without words–present a wonderful picture of how Christ RECONCILES us (as sinners) to Himself!
Prayer Topic:
We all need to pray and ask for “the mind of Christ” on a daily basis. We live-out this faith by ourforgiveness of those who have wronged us. “The mind of Christ” also takes root in our lives when weobey His word and His Spirit’s prompting in our lives. Ask the Lord–who has reconciled you to Himself through the blood of Christ–to give you a mind like His own as you forgive and obey. Pray that God will use these two Christlike qualities in your life to further His kingdom.
Steve Schuyler