Argument

First we need to set out what this letter is about, and then also the questions people raise about it. What, then, is it about? Philemon was a man of admirable and noble character. That he was admirable is plain from the fact that his whole household were believers, and believers of such a kind that they could even be called a church. That is why Paul says in this letter, “And to the church in your house” (verse 2). He also bears witness to his great obedience, and says that “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through him” (verse 7). And in this same letter Paul himself told him to get a guest room ready for him (verse 22). So it seems to me that his house was wholly a lodging place for the saints. [a]

This excellent man, then, had a slave named Onesimus. This Onesimus had stolen something from his master and run away. That he had stolen, listen to what Paul says: “If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, I will repay you” (verses 18 and 19). So he came to Paul at Rome, found him in prison, had the benefit of his teaching, and there he also received baptism. That he was given the gift of baptism there is clear from Paul’s words, “whom I have fathered in my chains” (verse 10). So Paul writes to commend him to his master, asking him to forgive him on every count and to receive him as one who has now been born anew.

But some say it was unnecessary for this letter to be added to the others, since Paul is making a request about a small matter on behalf of one man. Let those who raise this objection learn that they themselves deserve a great deal of blame. For it was not only right that these short letters, written about such necessary things, should be recorded. I only wish it were possible to find someone who could hand down to us the history of the apostles — not only everything they wrote and said, but the rest of their way of life as well: what they ate and when they ate, when they walked and where they sat, what they did each day, what regions they were in, what house they went into and where they lodged. I wish someone could tell it all down to the smallest detail, so full of benefit is everything they did. But most people, not knowing what good would come of it, go on to find fault with it.

For if merely seeing the places where they sat or where they were imprisoned — lifeless spots and nothing more — often carries our minds there, so that we picture their virtue, are stirred by it, and grow more zealous, how much more would this happen if we heard their words and the rest of what they did! When it comes to a friend, a person asks where he lives, what he is doing, where he is going. Tell me, then: should we not ask the same about these men, the teachers of the whole world? For when someone lives a spiritual life, his clothing, his walk, his words and his actions — in short, everything about him — benefit those who hear of it, and none of it stands in the way or trips anyone up.

But it is useful for you to learn that this letter was sent about necessary matters. See, then, how many things it sets right. First, we learn this: that we ought to be earnest in everything. For if Paul takes so much trouble over a runaway, a thief and a robber, and does not refuse or feel ashamed to send him back with such warm commendation, how much more does it become us not to be careless in such matters!

Second, we learn that we ought not to give up on slaves as a class, even if they have sunk into the worst wickedness. For if a thief and a runaway became so virtuous that Paul was willing to make him his companion, and says in this letter, “so that he might have served me in your place” (verse 13), how much more ought we not to give up on those who are free!

Third, we learn that we ought not to take slaves away from serving their masters. For if Paul, who could be so bold with Philemon, was unwilling to keep Onesimus — so useful and so ready to serve him — without his master’s consent, how much less ought we to act that way! For if the slave is so excellent, he ought by all means to stay in that service and to accept his master’s authority, so that he may be the means of good to everyone in that house. Why do you take the lamp off the lampstand and put it under the basket?

I wish it were possible to bring into the cities those slaves who are outside them. “But what if he too should go bad?” And why should he, I ask you? Because he has come into the city? Consider instead that if he is outside, he will go bad much more. For if he goes bad while he is inside, much more will he do so outside. Here he is set free from worry over the necessities of life, since his master takes that care on himself. But there, anxiety over those things will draw him away, perhaps even from things more necessary and more spiritual. [c]

That is why blessed Paul, giving them the best advice, said, “Were you called as a slave? Do not let it trouble you. But even if you can become free, make use of it rather” (First Corinthians 7, verse 21) — that is, remain in slavery. But the most important thing of all is that the word of God not be blasphemed, as he himself says in one of his letters: “Let all who are slaves under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and his teaching may not be blasphemed” (First Timothy 6, verse 1). For then the pagans too will say that even a slave can be pleasing to God. But as things are, many are driven to blaspheme and to say that Christianity has come into the world to overturn everything, since masters are having their slaves taken away from them, and that it is a matter of force.

Let me say one other thing as well. He teaches us not to be ashamed of our household servants if they are virtuous. For if Paul, the most admirable of men, says so much in favor of this one, how much more should we speak well of ours! There are so many good things to be gained, then — and we have not even named them all — and does anyone still think it was unnecessary for this letter to be included? Would that not be the height of folly? So let us turn, I beg you, to the letter the apostle wrote. We have already gained so much from it, and we will gain still more from the text itself.