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Philemon 1:12-16, I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—  no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

Paul wrote a congregational letter to the church at Colossae (Colossians) and then added this more personal letter to Philemon, kind of as an addendum.  It is difficult to ascertain the specific circumstances behind this letter.  Paul is obviously being very discreet and diplomatic in the letter, not wanting to alienate Philemon regarding his slave, Onesimus.  What do we know?  Paul is appealing to Philemon regarding Onesimus, who has accepted Christ through Paul’s ministry.  Paul expresses that Onesimus is useful to him, loved by him, and Paul would keep Onesimus with him if he could.  We also know that somehow Onesimus has been separated from Philemon, that Onesimus may have wronged him in some way, and Paul asks that Philemon welcome him back as “better than a slave,” as they are brothers in Christ.  Paul is willing to pay any debt that Onesimus may have toward Philemon.

One of the main learnings from this text is the extent to which Christ-followers are bound to one another through the faith.  While this letter is about a personal situation, Paul includes other individuals and the church community in this letter as well.  The point was not simply to put pressure on Philemon, but because there are theological and social implications when one joins the covenant community of the church.  We belong to one another.  While we don’t have to be in everyone’s business, we are accountable to one another.  We need one another for support, encouragement, mentoring, but also to ensure we are not drifting or making decisions contrary to the faith.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ and we will spend eternity together.

Reflect on Romans 12:4-5, Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.

Let’s pray…Dear Lord, Thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Help us live as one body.  Help us support one another and truly love each other in order to demonstrate to the world who you are.  In Your Name, Amen.