Meaning Of Paul's Letter To Shilemon
\Perhaps due to the brevity of the letter, Philemon is an infrequently referenced epistle in Christian circles. Also perhaps, the letter from Paul to a wealthy man named Philemon is one written with a sort of social persuasion. Appealing to Philemon on the basis of love, Paul writes a letter communicating Philemon’s duty to ethical treatment of his servant (or modernly: ‘employee’), Onesimus. However, there is a particular way that Paul writes that essentially forces Philemon to agree to what Paul requests in an effort to not be shamed.
Paul begins the letter giving thanks and mentioning Philemon’s love and faith. Paul also makes an interesting statement regarding Philemon. “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when
you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.” (1:6). This statement tells us a few things about Philemon. First is that currently any sharing of Philemon’s faith is ineffective according to Paul. Second, Philemon doesn’t yet perceive (or understand) all the good they do for Christ. This should give us an idea of the relationship between Paul and Philemon. Paul’s understanding of the things they do for Christ is something yet to be shared by Philemon. Paul is in a role such as that he would teach Philemon. Additionally given his age, Paul did not have to appeal to him on a basis of love but instead Paul had the authority to make demands of Philemon. However, to simply make a demand does not connote understanding or learning for the one being instructed. Therefore Paul appeals to Philemon to do his duty toward Onesimus, that is to welcome him back not again as a slave, but now as a brother. This is not, however, Paul trying to disallow anyone from being an employer. Paul’s appeal is most probably in response to Philemon’s specific treatment of Onesimus which also led to Onesimus fleeing in the first place.
The key to this epistle is the way it is received. Onesimus was supposed to bring the letter back and the letter was to be read aloud in the presence of everyone. This means that whatever Paul appeals to Philemon to do, he will be accountable to everyone that heard the letter to do what Paul had said. This is Kingdom Coercion. It can appear underhanded, but it is to convince people to do the right thing in the kingdom of God. It is a sort of necessary manipulation made in love for the purpose of “creating” willful action. The letter basically guarantees Onesimus’ fair treatment instead of the beatings normally received by a runaway slave.
Paul begins the letter giving thanks and mentioning Philemon’s love and faith. Paul also makes an interesting statement regarding Philemon. “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when
you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.” (1:6). This statement tells us a few things about Philemon. First is that currently any sharing of Philemon’s faith is ineffective according to Paul. Second, Philemon doesn’t yet perceive (or understand) all the good they do for Christ. This should give us an idea of the relationship between Paul and Philemon. Paul’s understanding of the things they do for Christ is something yet to be shared by Philemon. Paul is in a role such as that he would teach Philemon. Additionally given his age, Paul did not have to appeal to him on a basis of love but instead Paul had the authority to make demands of Philemon. However, to simply make a demand does not connote understanding or learning for the one being instructed. Therefore Paul appeals to Philemon to do his duty toward Onesimus, that is to welcome him back not again as a slave, but now as a brother. This is not, however, Paul trying to disallow anyone from being an employer. Paul’s appeal is most probably in response to Philemon’s specific treatment of Onesimus which also led to Onesimus fleeing in the first place.
The key to this epistle is the way it is received. Onesimus was supposed to bring the letter back and the letter was to be read aloud in the presence of everyone. This means that whatever Paul appeals to Philemon to do, he will be accountable to everyone that heard the letter to do what Paul had said. This is Kingdom Coercion. It can appear underhanded, but it is to convince people to do the right thing in the kingdom of God. It is a sort of necessary manipulation made in love for the purpose of “creating” willful action. The letter basically guarantees Onesimus’ fair treatment instead of the beatings normally received by a runaway slave.