Faith and Love

Paul wrote this short letter to Philemon and his home church when he
was in the prison. Than what was the purpose of this letter? What did
Paul taught Philemon and the church? In the beginning of this letter
in verse 4 to 7, Paul wrote about Philemon's faith and love and how
much it comforted and encouraged him in the days of imprisonment. As
he mentioned in this context, Paul was imprisoned for the sake of
Christ. But in this circumstance, the good report about his brothers
and sisters in Christ, that they are working hard to spread the Word
of Gospel encouraged him.

The Request of the Sake of Love

Paul's purpose of writing this letter becomes clear in section that
starts from verse 8. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon to ask him to
accept Onesimus. And Paul's plea for Onesimus starts from verse 9. And
he called it "his request of the sake of love". Than what did he
request Philemon about? To know what his plea is, we first have to
study what Paul wrote about "love" in this letter.

Brotherly Love in Christ

The word "love" comes out in this letter 6 times. And this word was
used in the context about the people 3 times. And from those passages,
you will find out that the person that Paul is requesting about
Onesimus is the one who Paul loves. And Philemon is the person that
Paul loved. From the section that starts from verse 4. It is clear
that not only Paul's love for Philemon was important but also
Philemon's love for Paul was important. His love was a joy, comfort
and thanksgiving for Paul. Not only Paul but also other saints were
refreshed through it (1:7).

Paul's Beloved Child Onesimus

The main point of Paul's plea to Philemon in this letter is his
beloved child Onesimus. As you can tell from the verse where he
mentioned that he was "born" in the prison, Onesimus converted during
Paul's imprisonment. And so he became who Paul called "his very
heart". But he was no like that in the first part. But by believing in
Christ, he became "useful" bothe to Paul and other saints. You can
also tell that he was a slave by reading chapter 1 verse 16 "no longer
as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother...". Because
Onesimus became an "useful" person. Paul decided to send him to
Philemon and his church so that Onesimus will serve them as Paul
served them. And so he asked Philemon for the sake of his love to
receive him like he receive Paul. Because receiving Paul's beloved
child also means that they are receiving Paul himself. And that is why
he asked to receive him as you would receive me in verse 17.

Paul's Joy and Strength

Besides the request about Onesimus, Paul asked one more thing to
Philemon and the church in this letter. As he wrote in verse 20, that
he want some benefit from them in the Lord. The word that is
translated "benefit" in English is the word "joy" in Greek. So "the
benefit" that he asked them was comfort and encouragement with their
faith and love which he mentioned in verse 4 to 7. Both Paul and the
saints were encouraged and strengthened by Philemon and his church's
love.

The Letter of Love

The letter from Paul to his beloved fellow worker Philemon starts with
Paul's joy about their faith and the fact that they were filled with
love. And to them Paul asked about Onesimus for the sake of his love.
And What he asked for is to receive Onesimus as their beloved brother.
Because it is the indication of their love for Christ and their
brotherly love. And there is one more thing that you should not forget
about this "letter of love" is that the name Philemon means "to kiss"
in Greek. And this word is the related word of "love" in Greek. So for
these reasons, the Epistle of Philemon is the letter of love.