How did Paul use the case of Onesimus to emphasize the concept of forgiveness?

Answer Details

How Paul used the case of Onesimus to emphasize the concept of forgiveness (Philemon 1-25)

Onesimus was a slave belonging to Philemon, a wealthy Christian of Colossae in whose house the church met. Onesimus had run away from his master, and it appears he had also wronged or robbed him. In the course of his flight he met the imprisoned Paul, was converted to Christianity, and became very useful to Paul in prison. Paul then wrote this personal letter to Philemon appealing for the forgiveness and kind reception of the returning slave. He used Onesimus' case to teach forgiveness in the following ways:

• An appeal based on love, not command: Though as an apostle Paul could have ordered Philemon, he chose instead to appeal for love's sake, asking Philemon to act freely and willingly rather than by compulsion.
• Onesimus as a transformed man: Paul reminded Philemon that Onesimus, whose name means "useful," was formerly useless to him but had now become useful to both of them. Conversion had changed the runaway slave into a profitable brother.
• Receive him as a beloved brother: Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus back no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Christian fellowship transcends the master-slave relationship.
• Paul's fatherly and personal bond: Paul called Onesimus his own child, whom he had begotten in his imprisonment, even his "very heart," and would have liked to keep him. He appealed to Philemon to welcome Onesimus as he would welcome Paul himself.
• Willingness to bear the cost of the wrong: Paul offered to pay back personally whatever Onesimus owed or had wronged Philemon: "If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account... I will repay it." This shows that true forgiveness may involve bearing the cost of another's offence, reflecting Christ's own atoning work.
• Confidence in Philemon's obedience: Paul expressed confidence that Philemon would do even more than he asked, gently reminding him that he owed Paul his very self.

Through this appeal Paul demonstrated that Christian forgiveness means receiving back the offender without resentment, restoring him in love as a brother, and being willing to bear the cost of the wrong done, just as God in Christ forgives and reconciles sinners to Himself.