Two Small Fish Bible Study
Sept 19, 2005
Phile
Part
2:
Introduction:
Onesimus, a runaway slave who belonged to Philemon, became one of Paul’s beloved spiritual sons. Paul desired to retain Onesimus as a helper, perhaps a messenger. (Paul was under house arrest in Roman and used many believers to deliver his letters to the churches that he established throughout the Roman Empire.) Paul respected Philemon and would not employ Onesimus without Philemon’s consent.
While several of his letters to the churches mention slavery, Paul never condemned it. And his message is always clear – masters don’t abuse your slaves, instead treat them like your brothers and slaves work honestly and respectfully for your masters (Ephesians 6:5-9 and Titus 2:9-10). Paul expounds, “Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Where you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you – although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave” (I Corinthians 7:20-22 NIV).
In Biblical times, people became slaves for a number of reasons. Some became slaves as a result of war. Family members sold relatives into slavery. And some sold themselves as slaves to work off their debts. No laws existed concerning the welfare of slaves; therefore, they were at the mercy of their owners. Severe beatings and molestations were commonplace and totally acceptable treatment of slaves.
Onesimus longed for his freedom and took action to achieve that goal. Many theologians assume that before he ran, Onesimus robbed Philemon because Paul offered to repay any debt that was owed. However, during his absence, Onesimus was accountable for the work lost to Philemon’s estate. According to the Roman law, a runaway slave could be beaten or put to death if the owner so desired. Onesimus knew he deserved whatever punishment Philemon imposed.
The Bible doesn’t say how long Onesimus had been a fugitive before he met Paul. It is possible that he left before Philemon became a Christian. We also have no record of Philemon’s treatment toward his slaves before or after he became a Christian. Perhaps his treatment of slaves was the reason Onesimus left. Slave or free, people don’t risk death without good cause. Let’s keep in mind that their culture condoned slavery and the masters’ rights to whatever treatment they deemed necessary. According to Paul’s letter, Philemon showed kindness and mercy to other believers, but that doesn’t mean that he was as gentle with his slaves. As harsh as it is, slaves were not considered people, but possessions without any more rights than animals. And, animal rights activists didn’t exist. Although Onesimus carried Paul’s letter of recommendation in his hand, he had no guarantee of the outcome of his plea. Trusting God to keep him or deliver him, Onesimus proceeded on the course set before him.
Onesimus’ course resembles the sinner’s life:
1. All humanity is in bondage to sin. Like Onesimus, we attempt to free ourselves, but only make matter worse.
2. After he met Paul, Onesimus realized the necessity of facing the consequences of his actions. He may not have been sure of Philemon’s response, but Onesimus knew that the One who mattered most had already forgiven him. Realizing our guilt is the first step to freedom. We may be required to suffer the consequences of our sins on earth, but we have eternal life to look forward to through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Like Onesimus, we are accountable for our actions. If we stole from someone, we are obliged to repay plus interest according to the Mosaic Law. God expects no less from us today. When we ask for forgiveness, God is true to His word and forgives, but often He also convicts us to make restitution for sins committed.
4. Uncertainty produces fear. In spite of Paul’s reassurance that Philemon would be kind to a fellow believer, Onesimus, most likely, approached Philemon with fear. When we face the Holy God, fear will accompany us. However, if we hold in our hand Jesus’ letter of recommendation, we can be sure of the outcome. God will receive us as His own because of Christ’s work on the cross.
Onesimus failed to serve Philemon with a willing heart. He ran to escape the tyranny of
slavery and in the process found a better way of life. Restitution for his debt and reconciliation with his master became Onesimus’ first steps to true freedom. Reconciliation depended on Philemon’s acceptance. And because Onesimus had no means of repaying his debt, Paul offered to pay the debt for him.
The only steps to true freedom are taken when we approach God with the intent to make restitution for our debt of sin and attempt to reconcile with Him. Reconciliation depends on our acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Savior. We have no means to repay our debt. Therefore, Jesus paid it with His blood. We have His seal and guarantee on it.
People constantly talk about freedom. We work for it, fight for it, and die for it. But, Peter says that no one is truly free for we are slaves to whoever or whatever we allow to control us (II Peter 2:19b). Paul agrees, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are the slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 NIV). Jesus says that everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:34). In Romans 6:20-22, Paul explains that we are either slaves to sin and death or we are freed from sin and become slaves to God, which leads to fruit and eternal life.
Ironically, God didn’t create us for freedom. He created us to be slaves. Go ahead and reread that statement. Jesus said that “and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:27-28). This is a difficult saying, one that most of us choke on, because we want to be masters at least of our own lives. But, Jesus is our example and He not only served while He walked the earth, He continues to serve as our High Priest before the throne of God. And He doesn’t stop there! Luke recorded the Master’s words, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”
If we look at the first sin committed, we discover that Satan was full of pride and unwilling to become a servant. It remains the most difficult aspect of our salvation. However, servitude is evidence of our position in Christ. Let’s willing give up our right to be served for the far better privilege of serving and thereby imitate our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Requests:
Tammy, Melinda, Jordan, Hurricane Victims and the volunteers who are giving so much of themselves to help, Joey, Phyllis, Pat, Eddie our Monday Bible Study, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.
Next
Weeks Study:
Reread Philemon. Next week, we will examine Philemon and our responsibility to forgive and receive others as our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Invitation:
If you realize your indebtedness to Jesus Christ and will confess it to Him, He will forgive you and receive you as His brother. Then you will be free from your sin and a slave to God bearing fruit and holding the promise of eternal life.
If you’d like to participate in our Monday Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests at twosmallfish@twosmallfish.org.
May God bless you as you serve Him by serving others.
Brenda Hendricks