When you hear the word free, what do you think of? Maybe you think of getting something without having to pay for it. Or, maybe in light of just celebrating Independence Day, you think of what it means to live in a free country. For Onesimus, in the book of Philemon, freedom meant no longer being a slave to a man named Philemon, and he would do anything to get it, including running away, traveling over 1000 miles, and destroying property along the way.
Onesimus lived as a slave to Philemon in a town called Colossae, located in the Roman province of Asia Minor where Turkey is today. In order to travel to Rome, Onesimus would have had to traverse mountain regions, desert, and the Mediterranean Sea, and the process would’ve taken weeks or maybe even months. Since Onesimus had no money or resources for his escape, it’s likely that he stole from Philemon before running away.
In Rome, Onesimus met Paul and likely sought sanctuary in his home while Paul was on house arrest. During his stay, Onesimus witnessed Paul’s ministry firsthand. It was through Paul that Onesimus encountered Jesus and was baptized, experiencing a profound spiritual freedom that surpassed any earthly liberation he had been looking for. He came to understand the depth of salvation and forgiveness found in Christ, freeing him from the bondage of sin. His newfound faith gave him the courage and conviction to return to Philemon, despite the risks involved.
Even though he fought so hard for his freedom from slavery to Philemon, Onesimus went back to Philemon after becoming a Christian. Onesimus made the long journey back to Colossae armed with a letter from Paul to Philemon asking him to remember his Christian faith in the way he treated Onesimus. Based on the letter, Paul hoped that Philemon would not only forgive Onesimus but welcome him back not as his slave but as a Christian brother. Onesimus’s name literally means useful in Greek, and Paul writes to Philemon that Onesimus had really become useful to Paul and others since becoming a Jesus follower. Paul appeals to Philemon out of love instead of commanding him as an elder. The book of Philemon in the New Testament is where we read Paul’s letter. Philemon 1:12-18 says,
“I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this is perhaps why he was parted from you for a little while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So, if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.”
Paul’s appeal to Philemon reflects the transformative power of Christian love and forgiveness, urging Philemon to see Onesimus not just as a former slave but as a beloved brother in Christ. Not only did Paul lead Onesimus to Christ and advocate for him when he went back to his master, but he repaid his debt also and took Onesimus on as a son in the Lord. Through his actions, Paul really lived like Jesus even when it was inconvenient.
But what about Onesimus? The book of Philemon doesn’t quite say what happened to Onesimus, but we do know that he went on to be a very useful part of the church, delivering letters for Paul to the Colossians and Ephesians and ministering with Paul and other church leaders. Onesimus discovered the calling of God on his life when he found Jesus. Then, he also made the bold decision to return to his master and face whatever consequences came from his actions. Onesimus knew his strength now came from the Lord, and because of that, he also knew that freedom meant more than just not being a slave. In the same way, we can find freedom from our sinful patterns and the things that keep us in bondage. When we meet Jesus and have a personal encounter with Jesus our chains are broken, our sins are forgiven, and we are given a new name as child of God and co-heir with Christ to an eternity of goodness we do not deserve and could never dream of getting on our own. If you have that freedom in Jesus already then you can rejoice and look forward to living with him forever. If you haven’t received that freedom yet, all you have to do is ask.
Katelyn