Onesimus POV

Today I want to slip on the shoes of Onesimus as we read the letter again. To walk as the one Paul writes to Philemon to forgive, the one to extend mercy to, and the one to welcome back. How did Paul know about the connection and the fractured relationship between Onesimus and Philemon? Does Onesimus know about the letter Paul writes to Philemon or does Paul instruct Onesimus to journey back to Colossae not sure what kind of homecoming awaits him?

Unpacking the perspective of Onesimus is limited due to the few details we have from the letter. There are so many questions I wish the letter answered. Maybe Paul’s hand cramped up or he was limited to 1 sheet of paper for this letter. Clearly, these are the only logical reasons why Paul sticks to the highlights and stays out of the weeds.

To begin, let’s start with the person Onesimus. His name means “useful”. Onesimus is labeled as a bondservant in society which most likely means he is only useful for manual labor. He is not educated, wealthy, or of much significance. He was a slave under Philemon in Colossae for a while. The length of time is not specified. However, we can pick up from other clues that Onesimus was a bondservant to Philemon prior to Philemon hearing the Gospel in Ephesus and giving his life to Christ. And definitely prior to Onesimus meeting Paul in Rome and hearing the Gospel and giving his life to Christ. We can imagine what kind of friction, regretful words, and searing actions transpired between Philemon (master) and Onesimus (bondservant) before they were saved by grace. Anyone else remember their lives prior to the rescue and redemption from sin by Jesus? Praise the Lord, hallelujah, amen for mercy and saving grace. We all need it.

There is a reason Onesimus decides to flee from bondage under Philemon. We do not know what that reason is, but the journey had to be long for Onesimus to travel 1300 miles to Rome. There was not a plane, a train, a bus schedule, or an expendable budget to see the sites along the way. Was Onesimus determined to land in Rome or was God providential to lead Onesimus to Rome? To meet Paul. To meet Jesus. To change his eternity. To change his life on earth.

Q: How many times are we determined to land on a certain path? How many times do we pause to notice the path we are on is not what we chose, but so much better? There is more depth and eternal hope than we ever thought possible.

I will refrain from listing the other questions I want to ask Onesimus. Instead, let us wrap up today with the picture of Onesimus walking on the road back to Colossae. Imagine Onesimus is two miles out from Philemon’s home. He is caked in dirt and sweat. Maybe his stomach growls. Maybe he has a bleeding blister on his right heel. He has spent 1298 miles thinking about the moment he would return face to face to Philemon. The cultural thing not to do was to show compassion for a bondservant who returns to their master. Get out of here. No way.

As Onesimus takes the familiar walk up the long drive leading to Philemon’s home, he returns to the same place he fled. But this time, things have been made new. This is the work of Jesus. Onesimus is a different person than when he left. The Gospel has changed him. The mentorship from Paul makes a lasting impression on Onesimus. Philemon is also changed because of the Gospel. Remember, Philemon’s home acts as a stand-in church building. The Holy Spirit is on the move. And finally, Onesimus looks up. His eyes lock with Philemon again for the first time. Do you see anger or abundant mercy in the eyes of Philemon?

With each step, the weight of this scene kills me when I walk in the shoes of Onesimus. Would I have the courage to look up? The bravery to make it to the front door? Could I receive abundant mercy from someone I deeply wronged? Weeks and months later, I wonder whether Onesimus truly feels forgiven and welcomed back by Philemon as a beloved brother in Christ. I believe the answer is yes. Why? Philemon and Onesimus reconcile after Jesus saves them. After you experience the saving work of Jesus in your life, you feel made new. You are made new. You operate out of strength greater than your own. You feel the weight of sin and shame in your life pulled off your shoulders layer by layer. You learn about the depths of the good news of the Gospel and it blows you away.

God extends His mercy and grace to each of us. It blows me away that the mercies of God are new each day. How? He is God. He stands firms on His character defined in Exodus 34:6, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Onesimus was not guaranteed merciful forgiveness from Philemon, but guess what? God reminds us throughout the scriptures that He is merciful. And by the work of Jesus on the cross, we are forgiven. Onesimus makes the journey back. I believe he is welcomed with mercy. This perspective of the letter as the person in need of mercy changed me. Sometimes self-righteousness blinds me to believe I only play the part of Philemon as the one who is merciful to others who mess up. When the blinders fall off, I laugh at the audacity. Of course, I need mercy. I am a messed-up sinner who receives the mercies of God new each day. With that daily practice, my prayer is for my heart to soften in times where I extend mercy like Philemon from a place of humility because I know God has fully forgiven me.

Q: Which part of your life (parents, spouse, roommate, friends, children, co-workers) do you withhold mercy? How can you be merciful to one of your “people” in the next week?