Phm 1:11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.

Philemon is Paul’s shortest letter. It is a private letter written by the apostle Paul to a man called Philemon. The purpose of this letter is to help reconcile Onesimus, a slave, to his master, Philemon.

Philemon had a slave named Onesimus. For reasons not known to us, Onesimus ran away from Philemon, fleeing to Rome. In Rome, Onesimus met Paul and was converted to the faith: “…my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds” (v.10).

In those days, a runaway slave would be captured and killed. This newly converted slave knew repentance means he must return to his master and seek his forgiveness. Paul knew Onesimus could not simply walked into Philemon’s house; he would be arrested and put in prison. So, Paul wrote him a letter of commendation and sent him back to his master. In the letter, Paul pleaded with Philemon to receive Onesimus back into his household (v.8-22).

Prior to his conversion, Onesimus was perhaps a worthless slave who dreamed only of being freed from his slavery. By the grace of God, he met Paul in Rome and was converted. He had become a changed person (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul said of him to Philemon: “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me” (v.11).

Onesimus was, before his conversion, unprofitable to his master. Still, Philemon kept him in his household. It shows to us how good natured and benevolent Philemon was. Philemon’s love for the saints extended to all his servants. We can imagine him sitting down with this young slave Onesimus and trying to help him grow up to be a fine young man. But, perhaps, being young, Onesimus’s foremost thought was freedom. He did not treasure the love his master had for him.

Onesimus met Paul who perhaps, not only taught him the gospel, but also responsibility. Perhaps from Paul, Onesimus realised he had a good master. He realised the right thing for him to do now is to return to his master and face the consequence. We have here the prodigal slave returning to his master – Onesimus was going back to face the consequence.

Onesimus had apparently stolen something from Philemon and ran away (v.18). Whatever it might be, he probably had spent it or sold it and was not able to return it to Philemon. Paul mediated for him. He told Philemon: “Put that in my account” (v.18).

What are the lessons for us?