Paul’s letter to Philemon is noted for its brevity and brilliance of communicating the message of the Gospel. This is the shortest letter of the whole Pauline corpus (334 words) and is (apparently) unique in its genre of a private letter. Though this letter is one of the most personal testimonies of the Apostle, it has a universal appeal as far as the message of the Gospel is concerned. This Letter is a recommendation for a runaway slave Onesimus from the household of Philemon, who was a disciple of Paul. This is not just a letter to recommend a slave – it is an invitation to take a risk and believe in others. It is also an invitation to Onesimus to see if he could trust his master.
In the Greco-Roman society, the slaves were not given any human dignity or privileges. They were considered as “living tools.” According to the then existing rule the runaway slave, if caught had to receive severe punishments. Onesimus ran away from the household of Philemon and Paul happened to meet Onesimus during his imprisonment. Onesimus became a spiritual son to Paul. Now, Paul intercedes for him before Philemon through this personal letter. The word, Onesimus does mean “profitable” or “useful.” When Paul says he was once “not profitable” (achrestos)and now is “profitable” (euchrestos), there is more than a play on words or a pun because it also means he was not Onesimus but now he is Onesimus.
Paul does not only ask Philemon to welcome Onesimus, but also to receive him as if it were him (v. 17): a spectacular example of the thought of Paul, based on the radical changes brought by Christ. Paul is seen here as a compassionate person. Even in the midst of sufferings in prison, Paul is thinking of others. Forgetting himself, thinking of others – this is the logic of the Cross and the power of the Gospel. Paul is sending his ‘very heart’ (v. 12). In sending back Onesimus, Paul shows a great deal of trust in his new Christian son that he would indeed return to Philemon. Paul treated him as a man, a responsible man.
This letter might be showing Paul’s attitude towards slavery. Theologically Paul established that there was no discrimination between free and slave (Gal 3:28; Col 3:10-11). But practically Paul exhorted the slaves to obey their masters and masters were exhorted to treat the slaves with kindness and love (Col 3:22-4:1; Eph 6:5-9; 1 Tim 6:1-2). He didn’t call for a radical revolutionary action against slavery but appeal for the inner transformation through the power of the Gospel. Though it was a structural sin to be abolished, he wanted to stress the change of mindset where the all-inclusive attitude of Christ prevails. In sending Onesimus back to Philemon, Paul was trying to introduce a new principle of equality which was to transform and interiorize the social structure of the society in course of time. But the question: Why Paul did not try to abolish slavery if he was so convinced of the equality of all? The answer seems to be missionary prudence. Paul was careful not to raise an issue that would be the immediate reason for the persecution of the Christians in the Roman empire. Hence what Paul tried was to inaugurate a gentle inner revolution of mind and heart that would in course of time do away with slavery.
Brotherhood is the leitmotif of this letter. Since Onesimus now has the fullness of the son ship of God, he now lives in the Spirit rather than in the flesh through Baptism. This is a miraculous change: a destitute slave gets the infinite treasury of God’s grace. This son ship gave Onesimus access to a new brotherhood also. Paul asks Philemon not to inflict punishment upon Onesimus: “receive him no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” Paul does not invoke his apostolic authority to demand the obedience of Philemon; rather he confronts Philemon with a plea of love (vv. 8-11; 21). Early Christians used the word ‘beloved brother’ to signify membership in a Christian community. Paul uses “brother” in reference to Timothy (v.1), Appia – “sister” (v.2), Onesimus (v.16) and Philemon (v.20). All persons are brothers and sisters in the Gospel of Christ with One Father. As Paul seems to write to all Christians of the house Church of Philemon, he wishes also their spiritual liberation with agapeic love. The letter points to the great effect of the fraternal love which can bring in unbelievable changes in the society.
Paul’s doctrine of justification, which was developed in the Galatian controversy and expanded in Romans, appears in Philemon as the ethical impact of theological thinking: “faith in Jesus Christ creates a new identity which supersedes every other given identity. The clarion call to treat Onesimus as “a brother and friend,” presents an ethical application of Paul’s understanding of the gospel as God’s gracious and loving act of reconciliation. Letter to Philemon constantly reminds us that fraternity is the vaccine that can provide us with immunity against all kinds of fragmentations and discriminations in the world.