Philemon 1:10-14 - I appeal to you for my son Onesimus

1:10,11

Paul now makes explicit mention of Onesimus, referring to him as “my son”. We now have the love hoping for the best part, but also mixed with realism. Once Onesimus had been useless, but he had been changed and was now useful. And he would be useful to Paul and Philemon. This does not mean “useful” in the sense of their taking advantage of him, but useful in the sense that he had been transformed. We are meant to be useful, to be a blessing to the world and to individuals. And one of the fruits of the gospel is that it transforms people who are basically wasters into useful people, people who are a blessing to others.

1:12-14

Onesimus had found his way to Paul, and Paul would have gladly kept him. Indeed, he could fulfil the role that Philemon himself had had in Paul’s life. But instead Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon. However, he did not do this out of respect for Philemon. Moreover, Paul wanted to let the fruit of the gospel flourish naturally. There are times when we need to take firm action, and there are places in Paul’s letters where we see this. However, the gospel is the word of God, it is God’s power for salvation. So we need to let it demonstrate its own power. So we do not seek to control everything, to do so is a serious mistake.