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Philemon
Part Two: A Story of the Redemption of the Church
Now that weve have the opportunity to learn about the letter to Philemon on the surface, its time to go
deeper, to see the underlying picture in it.
Philemon tells the story of redemption; the deliverance of men from sin and death, so that they may be
reconciled to God. And specifically, the letter to Philemon reflects the redemption of the church, which we
will see is borne out in the details.
The picture is first sketched out for us, by the names of the principle people in the letter - Paul, Philemon
and Onesimus.
In Paul, we see a profile of the Lord Jesus. Pauls name means little. We could say that something that
is little is less than something else, as in a little portion. It could also be lower than something else; like a
little building.
These ideas can be seen in Jesus in His humanity, as the Redeemer. In order to accomplish the work of
redemption, Jesus had to come to the earth in a lowly flesh and blood body; a body that was capable of
dying, in order to be the sacrifice for sin.
Turn to Philippians chapter 2. Here Paul wrote about the lowliness of Jesus.
[Philippians 2:5-8]
v. 5-8 Paul is saying that, in claiming to be God, the Son was not robbing the Father of anything. Why
not? Because the Son Himself is fully God; one with the Father; fully the Fathers equal.
The Son is God, in His essence; you cannot change what you are in your essence; thats you. But in
choosing to come to the earth to redeem mankind, the Son laid aside, not His essence, but His glory; the
outshining, the outworking of who He is.
This is what Paul means by saying, He made Himself of no reputation. The Son was still fully God, but
He limited Himself to the human form; to a body; to the likeness of men. He contained Himself, as God, to
the limitations of a physical body, and in that body, placed Himself in subordination under the Father - as
His bondservant.
Here is the Servant of Jehovah, who perfectly did the will of the Father, out of love for Him. And the
Servant of Jehovah was obedient throughout His earthly course - right into death.
It is in this sense that the Son made Himself little. As the author to the Hebrews wrote, He was made a
little lower than the angels (Heb 2:9), referring to Jesus limiting Himself to a body of flesh. Though He
was rich, for our sakes He became poor - little - that through His poverty - making Himself of no
reputation, and pouring out His life, on the cross - we might become rich (2 Cor 8:9).
In the story of redemption, Philemon is a portrait of the Father. Philemon means one who kisses. A kiss
is a demonstration of affection; a manifestation of love. A hymn writer spoke of the Father as having
kissed a guilty world in love. Gods love was demonstrated to us at the cross - displayed for all to see
(Rm 5:8).

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A kiss is also an outward sign of reconciliation. We have the expression, kiss and make up. The love of
God was manifested toward us, by the sending of His only begotten Son into the world - that we might live
through Him (1 Jn 4:9) - live, forever - as a reconciled son, with God.
Turn to Romans chapter 5. Paul was writing about the result of having been justified by faith in Christ - we
have peace with the Father (Rm 5:1); we have been reconciled to Him. But Paul was indicating that there
was much more to reconciliation than that.
[Romans 5:8-11]
v. 8 Theres the Fathers kiss of love. And His kiss has a lasting impact, upon those who receive it.
v. 9-11 What Paul is indicating is that the Fathers kiss, at the cross, doesnt only affect the recipients
present, but his future. Through His kiss, the Father has conveyed to us His righteousness and His Life eternal Life. His righteousness is what will save us from the wrath of Final Judgment, on the ungodly were forever saved from sin.
And in the Fathers Life, we will be saved from death - saved, in His Life - as that Life bears the fruit of a
forever-living body - a body of glory - a body that fits us for the Fathers presence. This means that in the
future, we will be forever reconciled to God - and we even enjoy this peace with Him, here and now.
Now, just looking at what Paul has written here, when is it that this reconciliation took place - which was
realized by Christ for us, with the Father? At the cross. And that is made plain in the picture in Philemon,
as well. In fact, we could say that the letter to Philemon is showing a particular moment on the cross.
Turn to Luke chapter 23. The Lamb of God meekly humbled Himself to the death of the cross, offering no
defense against those who falsely accused Him, no resistance to His oppressors (Isa 53:7).
For six hours, Jesus would endure the cross, lifted up between heaven and earth, as the Mediator between
God and man. Six hours - what does that number represent, in Scripture? The number of man. This is
what measured the time of His suffering, in order to reconcile man to God.
We begin in verse 44.
[Luke 23:44-46] It was at the third hour that Jesus went to the cross. For three hours, Jesus was lifted up,
for all men to see - as God demonstrated His love toward them. But at the sixth hour, a shroud of darkness
fell over all the earth, and remained till the ninth hour; the hour when Jesus laid down His life.
What was the meaning of that darkness? This was a private moment between Father and Son - as the Son
made Himself an offering, for sin (Is 53:10); as the Father examined the travail of Jesus on the cross, for
sin; and finally, as the Father ruled that the sacrifice of Jesus, on behalf of men, was fully satisfying to His
justice, concerning sin (Is 53:11).
Then the sun was darkened. As God accepted the sacrifice of His Son, the Light of His earthly life was
extinguished - Jesus breathed His last, trusting Himself into His Fathers hands.

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And the veil of the temple was torn in two; rent from top to bottom. What did that mean? That the
redemption of mankind had been accomplished, and top to bottom, God had opened up the way into His
presence; a new and living way, through the flesh body of Jesus, which was rent, like the veil, in His death.
Through union with Christ by faith, we can now enter into Gods presence, a new and living creation; His
reconciled sons.
So this is the moment reflected in the letter to Philemon - the moment when we were reconciled by Christ
to the Father. And that brings us to the last principle character in the story.
For of course, we are the ones who are portrayed in Onesimus. We learned last week that this name means
profitable - useful. Remember that name was commonly given to slaves by their masters, with the hope
that they will live up to their name; that they will realize their potential.
And that is the Fathers desire for every person who comes into this world - that they will realize His
purpose for them, to become a son of God.
Now lets return to Philemon and look at some of the details.
First in the letter, we notice Pauls position, in writing it; what is he? He is a prisoner (v. 1, 9); bound by a
chain to a Roman soldier, under house arrest. Jesus was also a prisoner; bound to the cross, in His death not by chains, but by the cords of Love (Jn 15:13).
Philemon is Pauls friend - they are brothers, in the Body of Christ; equals; one, in Christ. Paul and
Philemon are also fellow laborers (v. 1), in the furtherance of the gospel; partners in the work (v. 17), each
with their own unique part.
So we can see the equality of the Father and the Son; both fully God; one Spirit Being of Deity; but at the
same time, we see that Father and Son have different unique parts, in the work of redemption. We see the
Fathers plan, and the Sons execution of it - but they are together in the work.
We see this equality and uniqueness in Johns gospel. Turn to John chapter 5. Jesus had just healed a man
on the Sabbath, which aroused the ire of the Jewish rulers.
[John 5:16-20]
v. 16-18 The Jewish rulers correctly understood what Jesus had said concerning His Father and Himself
working (meaning together) as a statement of equality between Himself and God. What does that make
Jesus? God!
So not only do the Jewish rulers believe Jesus to be guilty of breaking the Law by working on the Sabbath,
they now believe He is also guilty of blasphemy - an offense punishable by death. But Jesus goes on to
assure them He is no lawbreaker; no blasphemer.
v. 19-20 the Father loves the Son. The Greek word for love here is phileo. In this context, it is the love
shared between those who have common interests; who have the same mind on things.
And so it is with the Father and the Son, as God; they have the same thoughts, the same desires; they are
one; in perfect union. The Fathers shows the Son what He is doing, in His plan, to bring about His
purposes, and the Son agrees perfectly with the Father, and carries out everything the Father shows Him.
The Son does nothing of Himself; only His Fathers will.

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Here we see a glimpse of both their equality, in the Godhead, as well as their different roles in the work of
redemption - like the equality and uniqueness of Paul and Philemon, who are together in the work of the
gospel.
Philemons part in that work involved a church that was in his house. What would we say is the Fathers
house? Heaven. Heaven is not part of earth, and so it is not subject to time. In heaven, outside of time, all
of the plans of the Father are already realized - thats the eternal reality.
Jesus had said to His disciples, In My Fathers house are many dwellings (John 14:2) - dwellings that His
sons will one day inhabit - glorified bodies, that are reserved in heaven, for them.
In the picture, we see a glimmer of the glorified church, predestined in the purposes of God for her
heavenly home. The church is the household of God (Eph 2:19).
Paul then gives a good report, concerning the love and faith of his friend, Philemon, towards all the saints;
and then Paul prays to the Father that Philemons love will be even more effective; that Philemon will
demonstrate his love in a new way. Paul is specifically referring to being reconciled with his slave,
Onesimus.
In like manner, Jesus prayed to the Father. Turn to John chapter 17. This was the prayer of Jesus to His
Father, just before He went to the cross.
The Greek word used for pray in this passage specifically refers to the request made of an equal; from
one to another who is on the same footing. Jesus is making an appeal to His Father as His equal - for they
are one God, together in the work.
Jesus indicated that He had glorified His Father on the earth, finishing the work His Father had given Him
to do (Jn 17:4). So Jesus is now praying that His Father honor Him, by fulfilling what He requests of Him.
Jesus specifically prayed for His disciples; but not for them, alone.
[John 17:20-21]
v. 20 Jesus was not just praying for His immediate disciples; He was also praying for all those who would
believe in Him, as the disciples shared their witness to Jesus; as the gospel was preached to the uttermost
parts of the earth, down through time.
So then, who is this prayer of Jesus for - whos included, here? Specifically the members of Christs Body
- His prayer is for the church. And this was what He was praying to the Father, for the church; this was the
request of Jesus.
v. 21 Jesus was requesting of His Father that they may be one. The idea is not one in number, but in one
in unity; with one another, and with God.
What would be required, for the Father to be united with members of His creation of mankind? They
would have to be reconciled - for in their self will, mankind had rebelled against their Creator.

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Jesus had finished the work the Father had given Him to do - the redemption of mankind was at hand,
forging the way for mans reconciliation with God. Now the Father must be willing to be reconciled - with
those who have been redeemed. He must forgive them. And what would be the Fathers motivation for
that? His love for them.
And we see this so clearly reflected in the letter to Philemon. Lets return there.
[Return to Philemon]
Paul appealed to Philemon, as his friend in Christ, to forgive Onesimus, for loves sake.
How had Onesimus offended his master? By running away from him; by depriving him of the service due
to him; and by stealing from him. Onesimus repented, but he did not have the grounds to approach his
master; nor did he have the means to right the wrong, or repay him what was owed.
As sons of disobedience, thats how we offended our Creator, God. When we were dead in trespasses and
sins, we ran according to the course of this world (Eph 2:1-2), taking ourselves further and further from
God; runaways.
As our owner, our Creator had a right to expect us to profit Him, by fulfilling His intended purpose for us;
to become a son of God. But instead, we proved to be unprofitable.
We deprived God of our service, due Him - which is to lovingly giving Him His worth - because we were
too busy loving and serving ourselves.
And we stole from our Lord and Master; not money, but what did we steal? The seconds, the minutes, the
hours of our lives. Instead of lives spent for Him, our lives were wasted on fulfilling our own selfish
desires.
And God gave us the freedom to do that - to run from Him - for it served a purpose; His higher purpose - so
that we might come to ourselves; and see ourselves for what we really are; sinners, in need of a Savior.
And God provided Him to us, in Jesus.
Thats the message of the cross. And as Onesimus had to humble himself, and come to Paul in his chains,
so it is with us. We take the message of the cross to heart, and we have a change of heart. We repent, and
humble ourselves at the cross, before Jesus, as our Lord.
And then what happens? He lifts us up. We are crucified with Him; buried with Him, and raised with Him.
In Christ, we are a new creation; and the old is passed away.
Now we are no longer unprofitable; what are we? Profitable - fulfilling the purpose for which God has
created us - to be born again - a child, in the family of God; a son, possessing the character of his Father righteousness.
Having been cleansed, this vessel of dishonor has now been transformed into a vessel for honor, sanctified
and useful for the Master - profitable - prepared for every good work (2 Tim 2:20-21).
We see this in Onesimus. He humbled himself, to come to Paul. And as Paul shared the gospel of Christ
with him, he received the good news, to be born again.

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Paul described Onesimus as his child, whom he begot in his chains. And so the church was begotten - out
of the death of Christ (Gen 2:21-22, Ps 139:15-16); of His flesh and of His bones (Eph 5:30), part of Him,
just as Onesimus was the very heart of Paul.
Finally Onesimus had become profitable; and he became a genuine help to Paul, in his ministry of the
gospel. Likewise, the church is the helpmeet of Christ (Gen 2:18), His counterpart that ministers on
Christs behalf, on earth, in the work of reconciling men to God (2 Cor 5:18).
Now that Onesimus had become a believer, he had been freed from sin. Then Paul sends Onesimus back,
requesting that Philemon forgive Onesimus, and be reconciled to Him; receive him back forever, as a
brother in Christ.
But Paul would like Onesimus back again, as he has proven useful to Paul. This would require Philemon to
free his slave, so that he could continue ministering with Paul - if Philemon is willing.
And we can see this reflected with the Body of Christ. Having been delivered from sin, the members of
Christs Body have been reconciled to God. On earth, still subject to time, believers are now free from sin.
But are they yet free from death? No.
Nonetheless, the Father has determined that this will be so; in fact, it is confirmed part of His plan. Once
the Body of Christ is caught up to be with the Lord, they will be freed from death, as their lowly bodies are
changed into glorious ones.
And then they will forever be with the Lord, as His Bride (1 Th 4:17), continuing as Christs helpmeet, as
He rules and reigns over the earth, during the Kingdom age (Rev 3:21, 5:10).
In the letter, Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus unconditionally - just as if Onesimus were his
friend, Paul - Philemons partner in the work, whom Philemon counted as so dear to him. This means that
Paul was asking that there be no punishment of Onesimus; no condemnation, for what he had done.
Now, that would be unreasonable, unless restitution was first made for the wrong that Onesimus had done
to Philemon, and repayment made of what was owed him. Only when this was dealt with could Philemon
freely forgive Onesimus, that way.
Onesimus could not make restitution with Philemon; nor could we, with God. We didnt have the grounds
to approach God, to make such a request. Not only did we not have the grounds; we didnt have the means.
We couldnt right the wrong that we had done against God; and we couldnt repay Him for what we had
wasted of our lives.
But Jesus was able to do so. Being equal to the Father as God, Jesus occupied ground by which He could
make His approach - the holy ground of Deity.
Was Jesus able to right our wrongs? Yes; through His own perfectly righteous Life, offered in our stead.
But was He able to repay what we had wasted, of our lives? In a sense, He more than repaid it - through
the power of an endless Life (Heb 7:16) - the Life that He availed to all who believe, through His
resurrection from the dead (Heb 9:12).
So Jesus was able; and Jesus was willing, because of His love for us; like the love of Paul, for Onesimus love that knows no bounds.

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In the language of Paul to Philemon in verses 17 through 19, we see how restitution paved the way for
reconciliation. Jesus willingly laid down His life in our stead; the just for the unjust.
The fire of Gods holiness burned out sin upon Jesus on the cross, thereby taking sin away - as far as the
east is from the west.
The sacrifice of Jesus was accepted by God, on behalf of men; Gods justice was fully satisfied, leaving
Him free to extend His forgiveness, and reconcile to Himself all those who come to Him, through Jesus.
Paul writes of this to the assembly in Corinth. Turn to Second Corinthians chapter 5.
[Second Corinthians 5:18-21]
v. 18 God - the Father
v. 19 imputing is an accounting term, meaning to credit to an account.
v. 20-21 Arent we thankful, for Gods method of reckoning, here! Jesus took our sin upon Himself - sin
was accounted to Jesus; and then God accounted His righteousness to us. And on earth, according to time,
we are becoming what we have already been made in Christ, in the heavenlies - righteous.
[Return to Philemon]
In verse 19, we learned that what Paul wrote was promissory note - an IOU - a legally binding document.
He wrote this note directly into the letter, with his own hand.
Did you know that Jesus also signed a legally binding document? It was submitted to the highest court that
there is - the true supreme court - Gods courtroom, in heaven. And the document was upheld by this
court; and being the highest court, it is impossible to overturn its ruling.
What is this document? It is the eternal covenant; and it was ratified in the blood of Jesus (Heb 9:14-15).
With His own blood, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place - heaven - once for all, having obtained eternal
redemption (Heb 9:12).
Remember we surmised that Philemon was satisfied with Pauls offering, and accepted it as if Onesimus
himself had made restitution. And we also know that Philemon must have chosen to reconcile with
Onesimus - for loves sake; we know, because we have the letter to him.
The Father also was completely satisfied with the offering of Jesus in our stead. We know have been
accepted in the Beloved, and reconciled to God.
Paul knew his friend, and his gracious character. For the sake of love, Philemon would forgive, and do
even more; he would free Onesimus, and send him back to Paul.
And the Son knows His Father; the Father will use the redemption that is in Christ Jesus to pour out His
gracious love; to deliver men, not just from sin, but even more - from death.

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The fact that we possess this love letter (the Bible) is the testimony that the Father answered the prayer of
Jesus - that they may be One in Us - with a resounding Amen; so be it! Perfect in One (Jn 17:23); in
Love.
Lest you think thats the end, theres one more tiny part to the picture. Look down in verse 22.
v. 22 A guest room is a place of rest, for a temporary stay. We remember that Paul was anticipating his
release from prison; being set free.
And what about Jesus? He knew that His Father would deliver Him from death, through His resurrection
(Mt 20:18-19). And He knew that He would depart from this world, and return to the Father, in heaven (Jn
13:1).
For a time, Jesus is resting there; seated at the right hand of God, waiting till His Father makes His enemies
His footstool (Heb 10:12-13). But it is as the guest room, for Paul; a temporary place of rest.
For soon, Jesus will be fetching His Bride, and carrying her over the threshold into the home that He has
been preparing for her: what home is that? The New Jerusalem. And from there, Jesus will be ruling and
reigning with her over the earth, during the Kingdom Age - and into eternity. Soon; very soon.
And that is where the beautiful picture in Philemon ends - the little letter, with its overflowing message of
love.