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:
- Welcome Onesimus as if you were welcoming Paul himself.
- Forgive this repentant and transformed sinner just as God in Christ has forgiven you.
- 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.
Second, while the New Testament acknowledges the existence of slavery, it also introduces principles that radically transform relationships between masters and slaves. For example, Colossians 4:1 commands Christian masters to grant justice and fairness to their slaves, remembering that they too have a Master in heaven. This biblical expectation was counter-cultural.
Third, the New Testament clearly condemns kidnapping and human trafficking.
In 1 Timothy 1:10, Paul denounces slave traders—those who kidnap and sell human beings for profit. Such practices are sinful and incompatible with genuine Christianity.
Fourth, Scripture condemns the exploitation of slaves. Acts 16 records the account of a slave girl whose owners profited from her misery and spiritual bondage. Such abuse is condemned by God.
Fifth, Roman slavery was not based primarily on race or skin color as was the case with much of the modern transatlantic slave trade.
Sixth, many slaves occupied respected positions and often enjoyed better living conditions than impoverished free citizens.
Finally, and most importantly, the New Testament consistently elevates the dignity and value of every human being.
Passages such as Galatians 3:28, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 3:10-11, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and the entire book of Philemon remind us that every person bears the image of God.
Every life matters because every person is an image-bearer of the Creator.
Believers are especially precious because they are God's chosen ones, holy and beloved.
People matter.
Relationships matter.
And Christian relationships matter most of all (Gal. 6:10).
This is why Paul calls Onesimus to return and take responsibility for his sins while simultaneously calling Philemon to welcome, forgive, and embrace him as a brother in Christ.
The gospel transforms both sinners and relationships.
Going Above and Beyond
If Philemon lives up to his reputation, he will honor Christ and refresh the hearts of Paul and the saints.
The "gospel trifecta" of verses 17-20 is already remarkable.
Welcome him.
Forgive him.
Treat him like a beloved brother in Christ.
But the fourth scoop of ice cream with the extra cherry on top is manumission—granting Onesimus his freedom so he can return to Rome and serve alongside Paul for the sake of the gospel.
Church history suggests that Philemon may have done exactly that and that Onesimus later became a respected church leader in Asia Minor.
Whether that tradition is accurate or not, Paul's confidence remains striking:
"I know that you will do even more than what I say."
What a testimony! What a challenge for all of us!
A Personal Word of Thanks to Those Who Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty!
As I reflect on Philemon's example, I cannot help but think about the many faithful believers God has placed in our church family.
To those of you who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty in your service to Christ and His church, thank you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
You have refreshed my heart in Christ in more ways than you will ever know.
Many of you quietly serve behind the scenes. You pray faithfully. You encourage others. You show hospitality. You give generously. You bear burdens. You strengthen weary saints.
Humanly speaking, I am still standing in part because of your faithful partnership in the gospel.
Like Philemon, you have become refreshers of hearts.
May the Lord richly reward your labor.
May He bless you and keep you.
May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Soli Deo Gloria.
