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Q1. Paul Sends Onesimus to Philemon


Pastor Ralph

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There was unfinished business between Onesimus and Philemon that needed closure. Paul knew that the mature thing for both men (humanly and spiritually) was to honestly face their problem together and give the situation to Christ for healing.

Perhaps before Philemon became a Christian he had treated his slaves very badly, as was common. It seems that Onesimus had taken advantage of some opportunity to run away. In this, he would have left an outstanding debt of service and money. When Onesimus became a new creation in Christ, I imagine his conscience was burdened by his own errors in the situation. The only way to right a wrong is to face it full on and deal with it. Paul knew Onesimus had run from slavery, but even in that "freedom" was not truly free because only "The truth will set you free." (John 8:32) He knew he couldn't protect Onesimus from the inner bondage of unresolved sin and old baggage that would haunt and cripple this beloved "son" for the rest of his life.

Onesimus had to go back and face the truth for himself, but it would be to the benefit of Philemon as well. I imagine Philemon also had some haunting regrets for things he had done before his salvation. This encounter would give him the opportunity to grow beyond his role as slave master to that of brother. It would give him opportunity to apply forgiveness to a brother in Christ as modeled by our Father. 1John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When sin is confessed, then forgiveness can be applied. And that's true freedom.

What lessons for us. From Onesimus we learn that we must face and confess the truth in our own lives. From Paul we learn that we can't enable others to hide or run from sin. And from Philemon we learn that we must cultivate a forgiving spirit that is ready to gladly extend forgiveness when sin is honestly confessed.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Paul as God fearing person was just obeying the law that applied to the land at that time on the slaves, he could not keep Onesimus even if he had converted. The Christian religion never cancels any civil relations; a slave, on being converted, and becoming a free man of Christ, has no right to claim, on that ground, emancipation from the service of his master.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Onesimus now has a better freedom one that he cannot lose by submitting to an earthly master. If he really is a runaway slave who has become a Christian, Paul sends him back and he returns willingly because it's the right thing to do. In the same way, Paul reminds Philemon that he should receive Onesimus back not as a slave only but as a brother. Becoming a Christian not only changes our relationship to God but also to one another.

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What lessons for us. From Onesimus we learn that we must face and confess the truth in our own lives. From Paul we learn that we can't enable others to hide or run from sin. And from Philemon we learn that we must cultivate a forgiving spirit that is ready to gladly extend forgiveness when sin is honestly confessed.

Isn't it great that we can learn a life-lesson for today from an event that happened so long ago? God's Word is certainly living and active... (Heb 4:12)

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus,once useless to him (Philemon)is now useful to both.The implication is,that as brothers in Christ,all three share a common calling and "use".As a fellow "prisoner in Christ" Onesimus has true freedom from sin and oppression that can not be lost to circumstances of this world.

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Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again?

Onesimus has now become a believer and needs to set things right with Philemon, even if it means being a slave again.

Why is it necessary for Paul to do this?

It is to teach not only Onesimus but also Philemon....Onesimus must go back and place himself as subject to Philemon and Philemon must examine his heart of hearts to see if his love of Chirst Jesus will also extend into forgiveness for his runaway slave.

Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

In order to serve our living God, we must set right things that we would not have done in our old sin life. There is a price that may be required,a nd Onesimus must have the courage of Christ to face his master and see the outcome.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Because he is a slave and as such subject to a master, and because of the words of Jesus to be faithful Onesimus must return and make things right with his master. It is necessary for Paul because he also must do what is right and send Onesimus home because he is aware that he is a slave and Paul is only showing him that he also much do what Jesus wants us all to do as we serve Him.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Because Onesimus is legally Philemon's possession.

Paul can't keep somebody elses possession.

Onesimus can't run away from his responsability.

Besides this, Onesimus had some training and could teach in his mater's household now.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Paul knows that Onesimus needs to go back so he is not convicted of being a runaway slave which could mean death. He may lose his freedom again where he cannot go where he wishes but what freedom does he really have if he is on the run. Paul loves Onesimus and loves Philemon and knows that their relationship needs repaired. Also Paul is in his old age and does not know how much longer he will be alive. I think Paul is worried about Onesimus and wants to make sure he taken care of. Onesimus needs to go back and make amends with Philemon and to be able to live his life in peace and not be on the run. Also he has found Christ and that changes everything in life from what we use to believe in.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

We all know that, when we come to Jesus, we gotta come clean. Part of that is making things right with those we have wronged. Onesimus had to go back and make things right with Philemon. And, Paul wanted to give Philemon a chance to do the right thing-forgive Onesimus, and restore him to his place. All three of them got something really good out of this deal.

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Q1. (Philemon 12)

Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again?

Why is it necessary for Paul to do this?

Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Legally, Philemon owned Onesimus, and could have him imprisoned as a runaway slave. So Paul was obliged to return Onesimus to his owner. Now that Onesimus was a Christian, he would be better off going back to Philemon. Both being believers, Onesimus himself would be expected to serve with Christian faithfulness, while Philemon would treat his slave with kindness. As a new Christian, Onesimus was expected to settle all unpaid accounts and to make right all wrongs. Therefore, he had to return to his former master whom he had wronged.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Onesimus had run away from his master, Philemon. Paul hinted that Onesimus be loaned to him, and he would like Onesimus be set free from enslavement.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Philemon, I am praying that the mutual participation that arises from your faith in Christ might become effective in leading you to understand and put into practice all the good that God wills for us and that is found in our community; and do all this for the sake of Christ."

mutual participation. God gives many opportunities and in His economy both parties benefit and together they come into a loving relationship with God and each other.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

As the lesson starts with some question as to the correct interpratation we can only ponder the full facts. Paul is expressing that Onesimus can be of greater use to Philemon as a Christian and follower of Christ. Since Philemon leads a home church and is a Christian leader perhaps he will better care for his slave. Returning a slave was the civil law of the time. Paul cannot betray a fellow Christian and friend such as Philemon by keeping his slave. We can only hope that Paul is correct in sending back this slave and he will be accepted as a Christian and treated properly while serving his earthly master.

This is a very touchy subject as we are judging an act of the AD 60-62 time frame and realizing things would be much different than today. I wonder if the fact that Paul is an old man and in prison effecting his handling of the situation. A very interesting passage to ponder. Since letter writing is somewhat of the past I recall that starting a personal letter usually was upbeat and with praise so Paul did not do anything unusual in his greeting. We are fortunate that Paul was a vorious letter writer.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Because it was the right thing to do, It was the custom at that time. Philemon and Paul both served the Lord, and Paul had to get this in the forefront so this situation could be remedied. Onesimus was a christian now and he also needed to make thing right between himself and Philemon.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again?

Onesimus is not free; things have to be put in order, being a runaway slave is not a good testimony to God. Onesimus is called by God to do the right thing, return to Philemon and make things right. We may be forgiven for our sin, but we also must face its consequences.

Why is it necessary for Paul to do this?

Paul is saying "It is necessary for we who are called to be followers of the Messiah, to not allow past wrongs, past sins, to continue, that is if we are to be a witness to the Power of God working in our lives, for we are no longer under Satan

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

First of all because it is the right thing to do. . . Even though Paul may not agree with slavery

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Now that Onesimus is a Christian, there needs to be reconciliation between Onesimus and Philemon who are now brothers in Christ. Onesimus needs to go back to make amends to Philemon and Philemon needs to forgive Onesimus for the worng which he has done. This is really a practical worked example of the way in which Paul tells the people of the Colossian chucrh to conduct themselves in Colossians 3 v 12 - 14

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The book of Philemon is a beautiful expression of forgiveness and grace, changed lives from the inside out and kingdom living vs. worldly living.

Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon because he was rightly Philemon's property. We don't have slaves in our culture here today but back then, Onesimus was legally owned by another. For Paul to encourage Onesimus to continue to be on the run would not be right advice. Instead, Paul knew there was a more excellent way and he encouraged that excellence. He encouraged Onesimus to return to his master to serve him, to work out what problems they had by fully applying the Christian principles he now knew and had decided to follow. To Philemon, he reasoned with him to accept his slave back as a changed man and to not only accept him back, but to accept him not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. Paul knew, by kingdom standards, Onesimus's real freedom came by being in Christ so no matter the "station" in life, a real viable relationship would be established in Spirit. I liken this to ourselves as we were once considered slaves but are now children of God. We can serve out of duty or forced labor....or we can serve out of love in new relationship. Paul was always about the Gospel and this was his main goal in his letter. For two people to recognize a better way in Christ. For Onesimus to return and serve his master willingly in love and for Philemon to accept him back in forgiveness as more than a slave now, but as a brother in Christ. Paul himself never saw Onesimus as anything "less than" a brother in Christ and this shows his true beauty too. He knew the true worth of Onesimus as a child of God equal at the foot of the cross with anyone, caught in a "world" that "legally" kept him in bondage to other humans as a slave. He corrected so many issues in this short book of the Bible. He addressed social issues, spiritual issues and taught of a most excellent way to live for all involved.

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again?

Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon to rectify Onesimus' wrongdoing in both escaping and in taking things which didn't belong to him when he fled to Rome. He had become a believer there and associated with Paul, and now Paul pleads with them to accept Onesimus as a Christian brother, beloved by Paul, and to ask for forgiveness on his behalf.

Why is it necessary for Paul to do this?

Paul's intervention was intended to bring closure and to give Onesimus a fesh start in the body of Christ, as a blood washed believer in the Church of Colosse which met in Philemon's household. Paul, as he had done with Archippus in Col. 4, sends his blessing, acceptance and approval with the pleadings in his letter, for the believers to do the same when he arrives.

Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Scripture teaches that if we've stolen, we are to make restituation. If offense, to seek and ask forgiveness. Onesimus had stolen from Philemon in order to make his escape from slavery, and it was necessary to go back and face Philemon and to make things right. To not do so whenever possible, is to give the devil a foothold in our lives and I imagine would lead Onesimus to be always "looking over his shoulder" to see who's after him, and to feel guilty over the debt he owed. Paul graciously asked them to charge that debt to "his own account".

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Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this?

Philemon 12 - I am sending him -- who is my very heart -- back to you.

My understanding was that slaves had to be return to their owners. It may seem cruel, but that was the law in those times and Paul was adhering to this law. When Onesimus became a Christian, it was necessary for him to return. I read an interested reason why he had to return in another commentary. The commentary stated that 'The only way he could prove that his faith was real was to go back to his master, Philemon. He must do what the Prodigal Son did - go back home. (Luke 15: 11-24)' (http://www.agabus.co...lemon/index.htm).

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Q1 Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon because of reconciliation. Onesimus once a slave

cane to Paul for help and was converted. Paul trained him well and felt that it is

time to send him back to Philemon in a way Philemon being the leader of the church

may accept and forgive him for all his wrong doing.

It is necessary for Paul to do this because:-

On the basis of love - as a brother who is rich in love.

On the basis of Paul's age; of Honoring Paul's sufferings; of Paul's spiritual

fatherhood of Onesimus; of Onesimus's usefulness to Paul; of Paul's affection for

Onesimus and of Philejmon's debt to Paul.

Onesimus needs to start all over again as a new born Christian. It is vital that he

seeks forgiveness for his past deeds since God has forgiven him of his sins.

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I guess Paul sent Onesimus back to philemon because he wanted to reconcile the two given that Onesimus belong to Philemon. Paul knew that it was good to do this because it is the right thing to do even if it means that Onesimus could lose his freedom.

As for Onesimus, it was necessary to do this, go back to his master beacuse that was the right thing to do especially because of his new status as a child of God who should do what is right.

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