Paul might have urged upon Philemon his duty as a Christian; but he chose rather the language of entreaty: "As Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds; which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me."The apostle asked Philemon, in view of the conversion of Onesimus, to receive the repentant slave as his own child, showing him such affection that he would choose to dwell with his former master, "not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved." He expressed his desire to retain Onesimus as one who could minister to him in his bonds as Philemon himself would have done, though he did not desire his services unless Philemon should of his own accord set the slave free.
The apostle well knew the severity which masters exercised toward their slaves, and he knew also that Philemon was greatly incensed because of the conduct of his servant.He tried to write to him in a way that would arouse his deepest and tenderest feelings as a Christian.The conversion of Onesimus had made him a brother in the faith, and any punishment inflicted on this new convert would be regarded by Paul as inflicted on himself.
Paul voluntarily proposed to assume the debt of Onesimus in order that the guilty one might be spared the disgrace of punishment, and might again enjoy the privileges he had forfeited."If thou count me therefore a partner," he wrote to Philemon, "receive him as myself.If he hath wronged thee,or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it."How fitting an illustration of the love of Christ for the repentant sinner!
The servant who had defrauded his master had nothing with which to make restitution.The sinner who has robbed God of years of service has no means of canceling the debt.Jesus interposes between the sinner and God, saying, I will pay the debt.Let the sinner be spared; I will suffer in his stead.
After offering to assume the debt of Onesimus, Paul reminded Philemon how greatly he himself was indebted to the apostle.He owed him his own self, since God had made Paul the instrument of his conversion.Then, in a tender, earnest appeal, he besought Philemon that as he had by his liberalities refreshed the saints, so he would refresh the spirit of the apostle by granting him this cause of rejoicing."Having confidence in thy obedience,"he added, "I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say."Paul's letter to Philemon shows the influence of the gospel upon the relation between master and servant.Slave-holding was an established institution throughout the Roman Empire, and both masters and slaves were found in most of the churches for which Paul labored.In the cities, where slaves often greatly outnumbered the free population, laws of terrible severity were regarded as necessary to keep them in subjection.A wealthy Roman often owned hundreds of slaves, of every rank, of every nation, and of every accomplishment.With full control over the souls and bodies of these helpless beings, he could inflict upon them any suffering he chose.If one of them in retaliation or self-defense ventured to raise a hand against his owner, the whole family of the offender might be inhumanly sacrificed.The slightest mistake, accident, or carelessness was often punished without mercy.
Some masters, more humane than others, were more indulgent toward their servants; but the vast majority of the wealthy and noble, given up without restraint to the indulgence of lust, passion, and appetite, made their slaves the wretched victims of caprice and tyranny.The tendency of the whole system was hopelessly degrading.
It was not the apostle's work to overturn arbitrarily or suddenly the established order of society.To attempt this would be to prevent the success of the gospel.But he taught principles which struck at the very foundation of slavery and which, if carried into effect, would surely undermine the whole system."Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," he declared.2 Corinthians 3:17.When converted, the slave became a member of the body of Christ, and as such was to be loved and treated as a brother, a fellow heir with his master to the blessings of God and the privileges of the gospel.On the other hand, servants were to perform their duties, "not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." Ephesians 6:6.
Christianity makes a strong bond of union between master and slave, king and subject, the gospel minister and the degraded sinner who has found in Christ cleansing from sin.They have been washed in the same blood, quickened by the same Spirit; and they are made one in Christ Jesus.
