at a glance
author: The apostle Paul.
date: About AD 60.
setting: Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to ask him to forgive and accept his runaway slave, Onesimus.
verses to remember: 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 (15–16).
theme to consider: What barriers separate you from other believers? We are called to remove those barriers and accept our sisters and brothers in Christ.
unchanging truth
Some walked the earth wearing robes and sandals; others traveled in cars and dressed in jeans. Some were kings and queens, while others lived in slums. Every race, every economic class—we all will be together one day in heaven under the family name “Christian.” Despite our obvious outward differences while here on earth, we share one thing in common with our spiritual family—Jesus lives inside each one of us.
So, if we will be together with him in heaven someday, what’s keeping us apart here in the world today? Pride. Misunderstanding. Bias.
Paul’s letter to Philemon, a wealthy slave owner in the Colossian church, addressed these issues when he tried to convince Philemon to accept back a repentant runaway slave named Onesimus. Only Philemon wouldn’t be receiving a slave—he would be receiving a brother in Christ because Onesimus had accepted Jesus while he was on the run. Could Philemon get past all the differences and accept Onesimus as part of the family now?
We need to ask ourselves the same question. Think of someone who is different from you in every way—the way she dresses, talks and acts. You’re total opposites. What if she were your sister in Christ? How would you treat her? If you would do anything less than accept her with willing and open arms, then this letter’s for you.
1. No one can make us accept another person—it’s something that comes from the heart (8–10).
2. Christians are more than teammates or acquaintances; we’re family (15–16).
3. Paul models true friendship with Onesimus when he offers to pay for his friend’s mistakes (17–19).