#38 - The Prison Letters - Philemon

Philemon 1:8-16 (NIV)
Read by: Joanna Wong

In today’s passage, Paul appeals to Philemon to receive his runaway slave Onesimus back--no longer as a slave, but as a brother. Rather than appealing to his own authority, Paul appeals to Philemon’s love and the inherent value of Onesimus. He gets involved, but he does so in a way that gives agency and ownership to Philemon and Onesimus.

Paul uses a little word play here, Onesimus is a common slave name that means “useful.””And he says that Onesimus was once “useless” to Philemon, but now “useful” to them both. He’s saying that a runaway slave isn’t really any good to his master, but a brother and son is always useful to their kin. He calls these two out of the relationship that the social order of things would have placed them in, and into a kinship based on their identity in Christ.

As you listen to today’s passage, again try to imagine yourself in the scene. Philemon and his household listen as this letter is read. Onesimus might have been standing with the reader. If these people have the love that Paul says they have, they’re all bound to be feeling a lot. See what you feel and what comes to mind as you listen.

----------REFLECT----------

1. What feelings came up for you as you imagined yourself in this scene?

2. These days, especially when it comes to what we think is right or wrong for people to do, there is a fine line between the “way to pushy” strategy, and the “you do you” strategy. But this letter is an example of winsome and loving persuasion, neither pushy nor apathetic. What side of the spectrum do you fall on and how can you lean into the tone of this letter?

3. Paul was asking Philemon to see Onesimus differently than society dictated. Not as a slave, but as a fellow man and brother. Are there relationships where you need the LORD’s help to see people differently than society might dictate? Ask for the LORDs help with that.

----------GO DEEPER----------

Bible Project Podcast: New Testament Letters >>

Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Historical Context >>

Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Literary Context >>

Bible Project Video: Philemon >>

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