At Home in the Community - Philemon 8-18 - Part One

At Home in the Community – Philemon 8-18 - Part One

What Does It Mean to be a Real Friend?

Friendship is one word that means so many different things depending upon who is talking.  It is a term that we use rather loosely.  People refer to people with whom they have not spoken for decades as friends.  Others insist that they are friends to someone but have never sacrificed anything to enrich the person’s life.  Who the people in your life who genuinely wish you well and desire your happiness to the same extent as their own?  Who are the few people upon whom you can rely in the midst adversity and great loss?  Who are the people who love and respect your spouse and children as you do?  Who are the people who will use their power, influence and resources to help you in bettering your standard of living?  I reason that the people whose names come to mind as you answer these questions are your real and true friends. 

Through the prism of one of the most troubling books in the New Testament, we glean some lessons about friendship.  Paul addresses this letter to Philemon with the goal of brokering reconciliation between this slave master and his runaway slave, Onesimus.  Parallel to Paul’s primary purpose is his secondary but serious concern for the well-being of Onesimus.  In essence, Paul advocates for Onesimus by asking Philemon to receive him with impunity.  Paul informs Philemon that he vouches for Onesimus because they share the bond and relationship in Christ.  As a believer of any social standing, economic rank, or political persuasion, we enjoy the assurance that we are at home in the community of faith.

Paul’s advocacy for Onesimus recalls the mandate in Proverbs to speak for those persons who cannot speak for themselves.  A loving family bears the burdens of all members.  Should one be weak, in need or unable to defend himself, then his immediate and extended relatives will care for him.  Likewise the strong and mature believers in the Church have a special prerogative to support the growth of young and inexperienced disciples.  In the household of faith, believers grow to the point of taking a stand and speaking up for a righteous person or worthy cause. 

Biblical Background

It is important to note that historical parallels are not helpful.  Two historical eras are fundamentally different as the details of causes and the specifics of effects will never match as the chronology remains incongruent.  Therefore, as we examine the practice of slavery in the Roman Empire, we cannot draw comparisons not can we equate it with the practice of chattel slavery in the United States.  Amazingly, none of the four gospels include an expressed prohibition against slavery or a recommendation for its abolition.  Immediately, one asks whether Jesus condoned Roman slavery.  We do not have enough evidence, biblically or non-canonical, to reliably answer that question.  However, we know that the apostle Paul as a Roman citizen who had the benefits of education and the privileges of being a Pharisee held no opposition to slavery.  Some biblical scholars minimize the effect of system in Rome.  They stipulate that it was not that bad since the Romans slaves were servants and possessed control of their talents, work, body and movement.  They characterize the Roman practice as similar to the system of indentured servitude in Europe and the North American colonies for non Africans.  Moreover, some Bible scholars posit that Roman slaves were professionals in medicine, business and other trades.  Within that cultural and political context, Paul requests forbearance for Onesimus from Philemon.