Philemon 1:21- To Those Who Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: Thank You!

 

To Those Who Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty: Thank You!

Philemon 1:21

One of the great joys of pastoral ministry is watching God's grace at work in the lives of "ordinary" believers.

Philemon 1:21 demonstrates how you can honor the Lord Jesus Christ while simultaneously blessing your pastor and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

The short answer is simple: imitate the example of Philemon.  By the sanctifying grace of God, Philemon was a fragrant aroma of Christ. His faith was genuine, his love was evident, and his life brought encouragement and refreshment to others. 

Paul writes:

"Because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother" (Philemon 7).

Just like fragrant flowers in a flourishing garden, a church can never have too many reliable, hospitable, sacrificial, encouraging saints. 

In Philemon 8-21, Paul personally, politely, and persuasively appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, his renegade, runaway slave who had unexpectedly become a genuine believer in Christ.

The Apostle's request is rooted in the transforming power of the gospel. Onesimus is no longer merely a household servant. He's now a brother in Christ and a fellow Kingdom co-laborer.

As we have seen throughout this letter, Paul essentially asks Philemon to do three things:

1. Welcome Onesimus as if you were welcoming Paul himself.
2. Forgive this repentant and transformed sinner just as God in Christ has forgiven you.
3. Treat him as spiritual family and thereby refresh Paul's heart while he suffers as a prisoner of Christ.

Paul is confident Philemon will respond in a Christlike manner!

But then we come to verse 21, where there appears to be one more request lurking beneath the surface.

The Fourth Scoop of Ice Cream

Before moving on, can we all agree that the only thing better than a three-scoop chocolate ice cream sundae is a four-scoop sundae with a cherry on top?

The proverbial fourth scoop—with the extra cherry on top—is tucked away in Philemon 21.

"Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say."

Paul anticipates that Philemon will go above and beyond the call of duty.  His confidence is ultimately anchored in God's grace. The Lord is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. If the Holy Spirit continues to work mightily in Philemon's heart, perhaps he will go beyond what the Lord requires. 

What is the unspoken "fourth request"?

Many commentators believe Paul is gently hinting that Philemon should voluntarily grant Onesimus his freedom so he can return to Rome and serve alongside Paul in gospel ministry.

Notice Paul's earlier statement:

"Whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel" (Philemon 13).

Paul never commands Philemon to free Onesimus. He carefully avoids coercion. Instead, he appeals to love.

That is important.

Philemon is obligated as a Christian to forgive Onesimus. He is obligated to receive him and to treat him like Christian family. But he is not legally required to release him from slavery or forgive his large debt.

Grace and mercy, by definition, are undeserved.

Onesimus had gotten himself into serious trouble. Runaway's in the Roman Empire often faced severe consequences. Yet Paul asks Philemon to respond with gospel-shaped compassion.

Signing Onesimus' manumission papers and making him a free man would have been an extraordinarily generous act.

Paul himself models this kind of sacrificial love when he offers to pay whatever restitution Onesimus owes.

"If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account" (Philemon 18).

What a beautiful picture of Christ!  Just as Paul was willing to assume Onesimus' debt, Jesus Christ assumed our infinitely greater debt at Calvary.

Understanding Slavery in the New Testament

One reason many Christians neglect the book of Philemon is because Paul appears to tolerate rather than directly condemn the institution of slavery.

A few observations are helpful.

First, the New Testament neither formally endorses nor explicitly abolishes Roman slavery. The Roman slave system was deeply embedded within the social and economic structure of the empire.

Philemon 1:17-20: Gospel-motivated Obedience Refreshes the Hearts of Fellow Christians!

Let Me Benefit From You in the Lord: Refresh My Heart in Christ!

"Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ." (Philemon 1:20)

We come now to the moment of truth in Paul's letter to Philemon.  The groundwork has been laid. Paul has prepared the soil and plucked the heartstrings of his ministry partner, Mr. Reliable, Philemon.

Paul has spoken warmly of Philemon's faith and love. He has reminded him of Onesimus' genuine (unexpected) conversion. He has highlighted the remarkable power of the gospel to save fugitive sinners, transform messy lives, and mend broken relationships.

Now comes the big ask.

How will Philemon respond? 

Will he receive his runaway slave as Christ received him (Romans 5:8)?  Will he forgive him? Will he treat him as a beloved brother in Christ? Or will prejudice, cultural norms, and resentment win the day?

As we arrive at verses 17-20, we discover that this passage is about far more than Philemon and Onesimus. It teaches every believer how to honor Christ and refresh the hearts of God's people.

The Influence of a Faithful Christian

One of the recurring themes in Philemon is the refreshing ministry of encouragement.

Earlier in the letter Paul writes:

"Because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother." (Philemon 7)

Philemon had a reputation for strengthening God's people.

His faith was not merely private. His love was not merely theoretical. His Christian life brought comfort, encouragement, and joy to others.

That truth should cause us to pause and reflect.

Whether we realize it or not, every Christian is an influencer.

Our attitudes influence others. Our actions influence others. Our responses to trials influence others. Our obedience influences others.

Philemon's response to Onesimus would undoubtedly influence the entire church at Colossae.

The congregation would be watching.

Would he respond according to the flesh or imitate the perfect example of Christ?

The same question confronts us today: How can we honor Jesus while refreshing the hearts of fellow believers?

The answer is surprisingly simple: By fleshing out the implications of the gospel and living in light of our common union in Christ.

Paul Appeals Rather Than Commands

One of the most beautiful features of this letter is its warm and gracious tone.

Paul possessed apostolic authority.

If he chose, he could have simply issued a command.

Instead, he appeals as a friend, a fellow laborer, and a spiritual father.

Earlier Paul wrote:

"Though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you..." (Philemon 8-9)

By the time we reach verse 21, Paul expresses complete confidence in Philemon's obedience.

Why?  Because mature believers generally desire to do what is right. They are not perfect. But they are teachable.  They are eager to obey the Lord from the heart and not as mere man pleasers.

Paul presses into Philemon's godly reputation and character. He knows his proven track record.  Paul is optimistic that Philemon will once again respond to his big ask in a Christ-honoring manner. No matter the cost.

Receive Him as You Would Receive Me!

At the heart of Paul's appeal is this remarkable request:

"If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me." (Philemon 17)

What an astonishing statement!  Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus exactly as he would welcome the Apostle himself.

Think about that for a moment.

Onesimus had failed. He had sinned. He had wronged his master.

Yet because of the grace of God, Paul now views him differently.

No longer as a renegade runaway. No longer as a lazy and worthless worker.

He is now a beloved brother in Christ. A fellow saint.  A valuable co-laborer. A member of God's family.

The gospel changes how we view one another.  Our primary identity is no longer rooted in social status, ethnicity, occupation, or background. Our primary identity is found in Christ.

That reality lies at the very heart of Paul's appeal.

Forgiveness and Restoration

Paul goes even further.

He writes:

"But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account." (Philemon 18)

What grace! What mercy! What love! What a picture of the gospel!

Paul is willing to personally absorb the debt in order to facilitate relational reconciliation. He values unity within the of Body of Christ so much he is willing to do whatever he can to foster it.

At the same time, he expects Philemon to forgive Onesimus just as God in Christ had forgiven him (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-14).

This is the pattern taught throughout the New Testament. Forgiven people forgive. Recipients of grace extend grace. Those reconciled to God pursue reconciliation with others.

Philemon 1:8-16: The Power of the Gospel to Save Fugitive Sinners, Transform Messy Lives, and Mend Broken Relationships

The matchless power of God is displayed in many ways.  We see God's limitless power during hurricane and tornado season. The mighty forces of nature remind us that we serve an omnipotent Creator.

We see His power in the mighty deeds of Christ. When Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea, the disciples marveled and asked:

"What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27)

Yet one of the greatest displays of God's glorious power is often overlooked.

The power of God is magnificently displayed whenever the gospel saves a wayward sinner, transforms a messy life, and restores a broken relationship.

That is exactly what we find in Philemon 1:8-16.

As we continue our study of this remarkable letter, we are reminded that the power behind the gospel is God Himself. The Father planned redemption. The Son purchased redemption. The Holy Spirit applies redemption.

The triune God is the agent behind every genuine conversion and every lasting transformation.

Therefore, if you are praying for a prodigal son or daughter, do not lose heart.

If you are counseling a struggling marriage that appears hopeless, do not throw in the towel.

If you are laboring in evangelism and wondering whether anyone is listening, do not grow weary.

If you are experiencing deep church hurt and grieving the loss of Christian friendships, do not abandon all hope.

Never underestimate the power of the gospel.

The Gospel Saves Fugitive Sinners

By the time we arrive at verses 10-11, Onesimus has become a fugitive.

Rather than dealing honestly with what he had stolen, he ran away.  He attempted to leave his past behind. He sought a fresh start without first making things right with God or with his Christian master, Philemon.

Many people still try to do the same thing today.

Rather than confessing sin, they hide it.

Rather than seeking and/or extending forgiveness, they cut off all communication.

Rather than pursuing reconciliation, they disappear.

But the sovereign purposes of God cannot be thwarted.

While hiding in Rome, Onesimus crossed paths with the Apostle Paul.

This was no accident.

The invisible hand of divine providence orchestrated the meeting.

Paul refers to Onesimus as:

"my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment" (Philemon 10).

Spiritually speaking, Onesimus was a prison baby.

While Paul remained physically confined, the gospel was still at work setting captives free.

The runaway fugitive was marvelously born again.

The lost sheep became a son of God.

The guilty rebel received forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.

The same gospel that powerfully saved Onesimus still saves sinners today.

No one is beyond the infinite stretch of God's mercy.

No one can outrun the saving purposes of God.

The Gospel (also) Transforms Messy Lives

Paul continues in verse 11:

"Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me."

The irony is remarkable.

Philemon 1:8-16: The Power of the Gospel to Save Wayward Sinners and Transform Messy Lives

The Power of the Gospel to Save Wayward Sinners and Transform Messy Lives 

"For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever." (Philemon 1:15)

How do you solve a problem like Onesimus?  That was the dilemma facing the Apostle Paul.

By the time we arrive at Philemon 1:8-16, Onesimus had become a complicated case. He was a runaway slave. He had wronged his Christian master, Philemon. He had fled hundreds of miles from home in an attempt to escape the consequences of his actions.

Like many people today, Onesimus wanted a fresh start without first dealing with his past.

But Onesimus' plan and God's plan were not the same.  And thank God for that.

You Cannot Outrun the Saving Grace of God

While hiding in Rome, something unexpected happened. Better said, something providential happened.

The fugitive crossed paths with the Apostle Paul.

Humanly speaking, the odds were staggering. Onesimus had traveled roughly 1,300 miles from Colossae to Rome. Yet in the mysterious providence of God, he encountered the very man who would faithfully share the gospel with him.

There are no accidents in God's universe.

No luck.  No karma.  No blind fate.

The sovereign Lord orchestrates all things according to His perfect will.

Years earlier, Paul himself had been gloriously converted on the Damascus Road. Now God would use that same Apostle to lead another wayward sinner to Christ.

As Paul later wrote concerning Onesimus:

"I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment" (Philemon 10).

While Paul was physically imprisoned, the gospel was still setting captives free.

The runaway slave became a redeemed sinner.

The rebel became a beloved brother.

The lost was found.

Ephesians 2:4-5 perfectly describes what happened:

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ."

That is the testimony of every Christian.

We were spiritually dead.

But God.

We were lost.

But God.

We were rebels.

But God.

The saving grace of God pursued Onesimus and brought him to faith in Jesus Christ.

As Charles Spurgeon famously described it, the "Hound of Heaven" chased him down.