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Philemon and Onesimus: A Story of Conversion (9-14-2025)

Philemon and Onesimus: A Story of Conversion

Before reading further into the story of our second reading from last week, PLEASE READ THE LETTER TO PHILEMON. It’s 25 verses long and will take approximately 2 minutes. It’s found in the New Testament after the Letter to Titus and before the Letter to the Hebrews. Okay, once you do that, you might have some questions: Paul seems to be sending a runaway slave back to his master with a meek plea to free him. Did St. Paul recognize the legitimacy of ancient slavery? Is he cooperating in evil by sending Onesimus back to Philemon?

First, what was slavery like in the ancient Roman Empire? We have visions of Southern plantations and black slaves, but slavery was not racial but economic in the Empire. When you got into too much debt, you could sell your labor to someone until you had paid off the debt. So it wasn’t guaranteed that you or your family would be in slavery forever, though in practice it was hard to earn enough to get free. So who was Philemon? He was the host of a house church that met in the city of Colossae, meaning that the community deemed him a man of good reputation and a generous benefactor of the local church (Paul says that the ‘hearts of the saints are refreshed by you’). He was baptized by St. Paul himself (‘you owe me your very self’). How about Onesimus? His name means ‘Useful’ and he was a slave in Philemon’s house who had committed some wrongdoing (perhaps theft-‘if he owes you anything’) and fled to the prison where Paul was being held. He was at some point baptized by Paul and then ministered with the apostle in the prison.

To understand why this letter was so revolutionary, context is key. Paul’s letter to Philemon, delivered by Onesimus, was addressed to his entire house church (‘and the church in your house’), so it would have been read aloud at the Sunday liturgy. Reflect now on Paul’s strong encouragement to free Onesimus (standing right there!) and imagine the social pressure on Philemon to comply. Paul argues that Onesimus is more brother than slave because of his baptism, and pulls on Philemon’s heartstrings by mentioning his imprisonment and sufferings, reminding him of the spiritual debt he owes Paul through his baptism, and promising to visit soon to check upon the situation.

So how does the awkward situation resolve? From context, very well for Onesimus. In Paul’s subsequent letter to Colossae, Onesimus is listed as a faithful and beloved brother who ministers with Paul. One important but overlooked fact is that this letter made it into the New Testament! That means its recipient, Philemon, must have ordered it copied and distributed to churches all around the Mediterranean! His repentance was real and he now boasts of God’s grace working to change his heart to accept his slave as his brother. The Gospel is indeed revolutionary as it smashes social barriers of all types. May its freeing message touch our hearts also to reach out beyond our comfort zones to spread this Good News!

-Fr. Stephen