New Testament of Philemon - Book Report/Review Example

Running Head: BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ADDRESSES THE MEANING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BOOK OF PHILEMON. Biblical Perspectives addresses the meaning of the New Testament book of Philemon. Name: College: Course: Tutor: Date: Introduction: The book of Philemon was written by the apostle Paul in approximately A.D. 60. (Philemon 1:1). It indicates that then there was rampant practice of slavery amongst the Ephesians and Colossians. At the time of writing Paul was a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Brother Timothy in Rome (Philemon 1:1). The book of Philemon is mainly Paul's personal letter to Philemon. At the time it was not imaginable that the little known Paul could get the audience of a man as wealthy and highly respected as Philemon especially through a mere written message to pardon a slave who stole his money. It was unheard of then in Rome. One of Philemon's slaves, Onesimus had stolen his money and goods with which he ran away to Rome, actually to Paul. Since slaves belonged to their owners at least according to the then laws in Rome, Onesimus still was largely considered a property of Philemon. The offence he committed at the time was harshly punishable and at times could even make one get killed under Roman laws. Such were unpardonable offences. Paul wanted to show that no offence in the eyes of God is unpardonable and that with God nothing is impossible. Paul then arbitrated between them. First Paul worked with and taught Onesimus who become a Christian, just like his master (Philemon 10). He then wrote to Philemon through Onesimus' co-worker, Tychicus to smoothen the way for the return of Onesimus to his wealthy master. In the letter he offered to have Philemon charge the debt to him so that Paul might repay him. Paul managed to create a unity of purpose between the slave and the master as a result. The main tool Paul used here was love and faith. The virtue of love was used by Paul to unite master and his slave, though he did not denounce slavery. According to Paul the only master is God. He showed that men are all equal before Christ whether slave or master. Paul mainly wanted Colossians love each other and call each other brother in Christ rather than a slave or a master and that they should be kind to each other. To him, such were the kinds of relationships he wanted amongst Christians and not the owner and slave way of regard. Paul in this vital epistle is simply trying to preach to Colossians to have faith in Jesus Christ when they are doing something largely considered impossible and show one another the love of Jesus Christ in the body of the Christ. Paul's epistle to Philemon made Philemon pardon his runaway slave which was a rare show of forgiveness as well as a rare show of love by Philemon. That was actually the spirit and height needed or required to be demonstrated by the Colosse with regard to the Roman laws in the New Testament. That in love one is able to forget the bad deeds and most importantly forgives. Paul, then a prisoner challenges the contemporary Christian to have faith in Christ like he did have and wrote to the powerful in society. There also exists a question of the practicality of a mere prisoner convincing a wealthy Philemon on how to manage his property. It requires a miracle for such an occurrence both then and today. The wealthy and powerful Christians in our society then and now are also challenged here by Philemon's acceptance of Onesimus back. This is a rare show of both humility and love and if according to Paul it happened then, how about now and is it practically possible. Paul had respect and obedience for Roman authority and was sign of courage. Finally Paul clearly demonstrates that people who society discards are not necessarily useless as in the case of Onesimus. Body: In the book of Philemon, Paul was preaching love and faith in Ephesus and Colosse. Paul says that he thanks God and mentions His name always in his prayers and that hears of God's love and faith which He has towards the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints(Philemon 1:4-5). We see Paul appealing on behalf of Onesimus, who formerly was useless to Philemon, but is now useful to both Paul and Philemon (Philemon1:10-11). An absolute show of strong faith and love in both Paul and Philemon is eminent. Paul just does this through an epistle which ends up convincing Philemon who eventually accepts back his runaway slave. It is unbelievable act for Philemon to take back Onesimus in the circumstance even today quite a few rich people could honestly take back a servant who steals. At the same time it is practically difficult to write while in custody like Paul did to create harmony between Philemon and Onesimus because a prisoner both today and then has his repute tattered. Paul seriously needed Onesimus while he was in prison to spread the gospel ministry on his behalf (Philemon 12-14). But he could not retain Onesimus with him especially without Philemon's consent. It shows Paul's respect not only to authority, but also to Philemon. He knew Onesimus was Philemon's property even though he was a runaway. He was morally bound to let him go, and had the responsibility to do it gently so that he does not cause troubles to Onesimus, owing to his situation. He therefore made polite request through an epistle to Philemon to allow back his slave, Onesimus. Paul was also guided largely by the tenth commandment or the tenth Mosaic laws, which forbids coveting another man's worker and the Roman law of love. In Philemon (15-16) we see Onesimus return home to his master, Philemon more as a brother in Christ than a slave. Such acts are made possible only through strong faith as demonstrated by Philemon. He believed as Paul told him that Onesimus was born again and a good Christian free from evil. Indeed it was through faith that he accepted back Onesimus. Then in Roman or even today you rarely will find a master of Philemon's caliber doing that, allowing back a runaway slave without any form of punishment or complain. To Paul this amounts to an act of great kindness demonstrated by Philemon (Philemon 1:17). In Philemon (1:18-20), Paul further offers to compensate Philemon for whatever loss that Onesimus may have caused him. Paul's rare agreement with Onesimus to return to his master, especially in those days when the law of the land was everything was actually surprising. Paul, an apostle decides to obey the law of the land and mysteriously convinces Onesimus, his convert to return to his master, Philemon. This probably was the hidden work of the lord through Paul. Onesimus who was aware of the underlying punishment gladly accepted to return to his master though he knew the penalties he was liable to. Quite an unbelievable character of courage! Then a well-to-do man like Philemon receives and accepts Paul's request without any laid down condition. These were not possible occurrences then and even today only a few can attempt such. Paul used God's might to tell Christians then and today that God is able. In those historical times such events were unheard of and impractical. It is only presently that one can associate such events with miraculous deeds. All these occurred when Paul was under house arrest and awaiting the disposition of his case before Caesar. While in custody, Paul still can covert the likes of Onesimus to spread the gospel ministry in his absence. Onesimus, a residence of Phrygia were largely regarded as thieves and when he did steal to confirm such allegation, we see Philemon still taking him back as slave without the would-be possible punishment of whip or kill. These episodes show great unfathomable happenings in those ages and now. A kind of freedom was envisioned without rioting or holding strikes and demonstrations. At last freedom was here without physical struggle for it. Paul tells the present Christian that God brings peaceful change. Perhaps there was a strong spiritual intervention by God through Paul's constant prayers. And that all these were made possible due to Onesimus' absolute honesty. After the incident of theft, Onesimus completely got saved; a fact even accepted by his master and propelled his master's acceptance of him. All these appear like a well coordinated movie. Things happened quite swiftly and everything was restored including release of Paul himself. There was a setting for modernity seen through all these. The way things are done had to change henceforth. People were relieved from constant nave constant adherent to some backward laws of the land, for example those that allowed slavery. It actually marked the end of slavery since Onesimus never again was considered nor called a slave, but a brother. They lived in peace and harmony. Their Christian faith worked everything for them and change set in without being averted by the power that be. To date Christianity never recognizes slavery. It ended when Christ came. Christians regards one another as brother then and today. It can also be said that after conversion to Christianity, God gave Onesmus great courage. He willingly went back to his master without caring what could be labeled on him in form of punishment and even being called a fugitive. He defied all these and humbly went back. This is a rare show of bravery and faith on the side of Onesimus, because the master would have opted to either whip him hard or worse still kill him, penalties faced by the fugitives. Since Philemon was also once preached for and converted to Christianity by Paul on his way from the city home, he personally knew Paul. It sincerely would have been very difficult for him to have refused Paul's request. Philemon being a staunch Christian who in fact, hosts a church in his compound knew Paul as a man of God. He duly respected and administered his respect for Paul, by accepting back Onesimus without any condition. Besides, Paul was not only diplomatic in his letter to Philemon, but also prayerful. He even prayed to Philemon directly to receive Jesus Christ's grace (Philemon 1:25). Paul tells Christians to pray to all. Philemon knew that Onesimus was a very important slave who was very productive as well. In fact, the name Onesimus Biblically means profitable, useful, advantageous, fruitful etc. Therefore Philemon could not afford to lose him, especially after Onesimus had realized his fault and apologized. He immediately forgave him and incorporated him back. To Philemon, Onesimus was a sign of his wealth as he was a very hard working slave. This is a fact that even Paul can attest to, especially during his short stint of work with Onesimus when he was in custody. To them Onesimus was a symbol of prosperity and success. Paul used Onesimu to administer and spread the gospel ministry, a task he successfully carried out. This really endeared him to Paul who felt a lot of difficulty to release him to his master Philemon. The industrious character of Onesimus even continued thereafter till he became a teacher of the word of God in the church the Philemon was hosting. This was great achievements which even his master Philemon never achieved. He never again was a slave any more, but a brother in Christ. The love of Jesus Christ unionized them and there were no more master-owner relationships. Conclusion: The book Philemon in the New Testament is basically of love. It tells all the Christians to have and exhibit faith and love above everything. That everything we do with faith and constant prayer in God is bound to go through, however impossible it might appear. When in jail, Paul confidently writes to Philemon having faith that his requests would be granted by Philemon, and surprisingly Philemon grants him acceptance. Paul faithfully prays to his God and he requests Philemon for accommodation when he will be released from jail soon. He shows surety here for being released sooner or later (Philemon 1:21-22). All Paul's actions and those deeds of Philemon can be summarized as acts of faith and absolute love Christians should emulate and practice. References Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV). Read More