Servants of Christ

The Runaway Slave and the Debt We Couldn't Pay: A Fresh Look at the Book of Philemon

When was the last time you studied the book of Philemon? If you're like most people, probably never. This tiny letter, usually just a page long, often gets skipped over in favor of Paul's weightier writings. But hidden in these verses is one of the most powerful pictures of grace in all of Scripture.

The Story Behind the Letter

Philemon was a wealthy man living in Colossae (modern-day Turkey), the same town that received Paul's letter to the Colossians. Paul had converted him to Christianity, and Philemon had become a leader in the local church. He was also a slave owner.

One of his slaves, a man named Onesimus, stole money from Philemon and ran away to Rome, where he could easily disappear into the crowds. But in Rome, Onesimus happened to run into Paul himself, who was serving a prison sentence under house arrest for preaching the gospel. Paul converted Onesimus to Christianity, and suddenly this runaway slave joined his master as a brother in the family of God.

Understanding the Context

To fully grasp this story, we need to understand that Roman slavery was different from the American slavery we picture from history books. A better term would be "bond servants." These weren't people enslaved because of their race, but typically men who had fallen into debt they couldn't pay. They would voluntarily sell themselves to a landowner who would pay off their debt. In exchange, they'd work for a set period of time while being fed, housed, and cared for. Most were freed by age 30.

This doesn't make the system ideal or something to defend, but it's crucial context for understanding Paul's message.

Given this arrangement, Philemon's frustration makes sense. He had paid off what was likely a large debt for Onesimus. He'd been feeding, clothing, and housing him. He was probably treating his servants fairly (Paul speaks highly of him in the letter). And then Onesimus not only ran away but stole from him on the way out.

According to both Roman and Old Testament law, Philemon would have been justified in punishing Onesimus severely.

Paul's Radical Request

But here's what Paul asks instead: "I'm sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the good news, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn't want to do anything without your consent."

Paul could have kept Onesimus hidden. Instead, he uses this situation to teach a bigger lesson on repentance and forgiveness. He reminds Philemon that he too is a bondservant to a greater Master:

"It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He's no longer like a slave to you. He's more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me."

Who's Your Master?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters, for you will hate one and love the other. You'll be devoted to one and despise the other."

Whether we realize it or not, we all sell ourselves as bond servants to something or someone. We sell ourselves to social media to pay off the debt of boredom. We sell ourselves to politics to pay off the debt of meaninglessness. We sell ourselves to relationships to pay off the debt of loneliness.

But these earthly masters will always leave you wanting more.

Freedom in Christ doesn't mean we aren't bond servants anymore. It means we're free from enslaving ourselves to masters that won't actually pay off our debts. It means that even though we have a debt we can't pay (the debt of our sin), the Master we've sold ourselves to won't give us the punishment we deserve.

The question is: Is God actually your Master, or is He just replacing something else in your life?

When God is your Master, you don't just follow Him when it's convenient. You don't put Him in His Sunday morning corner during the rest of the week. But it also means you can trust Him with your salvation, your family, your money. It means your debt is paid and you have a home waiting for you in heaven.

The Solution That Changes Everything

Paul comes up with a beautiful solution to Philemon's dilemma: "If you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it."

Paul, a prisoner under house arrest who relied on friends to buy his food and necessities, sends back Onesimus (whose name literally means "useful") along with funds to pay off his debt. This means Paul now has one less person to help keep him alive and less money for his own survival.

Martin Luther said about this passage: "Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus Paul also does for Onesimus with Philemon."

You Are Onesimus

Here's the reality: In this story, we don't get to identify with Paul or Philemon.

We are Onesimus.

We have dug ourselves into debt with our sin. We have robbed our Master and run away to avoid punishment. We deserve what's coming for us.

But just like Paul paying off the debt for Onesimus when he didn't have to, Jesus comes along and sacrifices Himself in our place. He paid the cost of our debt. It cost Paul a friend, a helper, and some comfort. But it cost Jesus His life.

Maybe you're thinking about the things you're enslaved to, the masters of this world that leave you beaten, burned out, and broken. Maybe you're wishing someone would come along and pay your debt.

Brothers and sisters, your debt has already been paid. While you're running around trying to hide from the consequences of your actions, Jesus walked His cross up the hill of Golgotha and said, "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

The question now is: Will you accept it?

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