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What right had Paul to speak to Philemon as he did? What special relationship existed that allowed Paul to appeal as he did to the heart of Philemon? Wasn’t the matter of slavery just a business matter which should have dealt with outside the context of emotions and strictly according to the business principles that prevailed?

First, hear Paul’s admonition to Philemon regarding the return of Onesimus: "If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me." (Philemon 1.17). Notice the structure of this admonition; first it contains a condition, i.e., "If then you count me as a partner." Then it contains a requested action, i.e., "Receive him [Onesimus] as you would me." Plainly the force of the argument is as follows: If condition one prevails, then condition two ought to prevail. Hence Philemon is admonished to receive his runaway slave back in the same manner as he would have received Paul.

What is the force of the statement, "If you count me as a partner"? Clearly Paul believed that such was the case. His admonition to Philemon would have had no force at all had Philemon not counted him as a partner. In order to speak in this manner, Paul had to be certain of one thing, namely, Philemon truly counted him as a partner. But, what did this partnership mean and what was its basis? We shall presently address these questions.

What did Paul mean when he spoke of his partnership with Philemon? The word translated partner merely means an associate or companion; someone who shares or fellowships in some manner. There is no reason to think that the partnership to which Paul referred was some mundane business relationship. Rather, it is certain that the partnership was a spiritual partnership; they shared in the grace of God; they were both partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light; they shared in the common faith; they partnered in the common salvation. So were they partners? Yes, in the strongest and most vital way possible; they were brothers in the family of God!

Since Paul and Philemon had so much in common and shared many of the same goals, Paul’s request to receive Onesimus "as you would me" paints a beautiful picture of love, friendship, and fellowship. We do not know how these two came to be partners in the faith, but it is not unreasonable to think that Paul had a direct hand in converting Philemon to the faith. That is the likely meaning of Paul’s words to Philemon, "…you owe me even your own self besides." (Philemon 1.19). If Philemon listened to Paul’s plea for Onesimus and treated him as he would have treated Paul, Onesimus was in for quite a pleasant surprise; he would go instantly from the rigors of the servant to the room of the served!

There are many blessings to be gained from this text, not the least of which is to simply gain insight into the special fellowship that the early Christians had with one another. It began on Pentecost and it continued throughout the first century. It lives today if we will but let it!

Questions:

1. What is included in the word partner as used in today’s text?

2. What reaction might Philemon have had regarding Onesimus’ return had Paul not interceded?

3. What was the probable basis upon which Paul told Philemon that he owed him his own self besides?

4. What difference do you see in the fellowship of Christians today as compared to the fellowship that they enjoyed during the first century?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One