PAUL’S LETTER TO PHILEMON

XXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Philemon 1:9-10,12-17

Paul's letter to Philemon is a pearl of great value. Similar to the letters written  nowadays, this is a letter written by Paul to his friend Philemon, dealing with a very difficult situation, the situation of the runaway slave Onesimus.

Paul’s attitude on social issues

Many people do not feel at easy with Paul, because of his teaching or lack of teaching about social issues, like the position of the women in society and the plight of the slaves. The ones who do so, transpose the present day mentality to the first century and expect to find the same behaviour then as we have now. Paul was very far  from the centres of power, and he had no political power, not even political influence; in fact, he belonged to the people who lived in the fringe of society. Paul was no more than an ambulant preacher, proclaiming a new doctrine.

A revolution brought about by love

The revolution that Paul was bringing about was a peaceful revolution made effective by the change of hearts, which take place when we believe in Jesus Christ.

Paul had some very clear ideas: slave and free man are one in Jesus Christ. "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). However, Paul could not take on the Roman Empire and Roman society single handed. In spite of that, this letter shows what Paul expected from the believers in Jesus Christ a new way of thinking.

Not a slave, but a brother

Onesimus had run away. If caught, he could be sentenced to death or even killed on the spot. He took refuge with Paul. By accepting him, Paul put his own life in danger. With Paul, Onesimus, felling accepted and loved, became a Christian and was baptised. Having become a Christian, he was ready to go back to his master. Then Paul wrote a letter pleading with Philemon and ordering him  with polite words to receive Onesimus as his "dear brother; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, as a blood-brother as well as a brother in the Lord. So if all that we have in common means anything to you, welcome him as you would me." (Philemon 16-17).

We must always remember that to be a Christian has practical implications with social and political repercussions.