The Unprofitable Made Profitable

A VERSE-BY-VERSE STUDY
OF PHILEMON
“The Unprofitable Made Profitable”
(Philemon 8-17)
[4 of 7]

Introduction

We continue on this web page our verse-by-verse study of Philemon. When we started the series, we took a look at the background of Philemon; we also did an overview of this epistle.

Then we got into the book itself. In first part of verse one, we discussed how Paul was a prisoner for Christ’s sake and not his own sake. In the second part of verse one and in verse two, we saw Paul’s fellowlabourers in the Lord. In verse three we rejoiced in the gift of the Lord. It cannot be stress enough that the order in verse three was arranged carefully by the Holy Spirit. It is first grace, then peace. You cannot know the peace of God until you have experienced the grace of God. The last web page covered "four aspects of good Christian character." In verse four we saw the Aspect of Prayer. Prayer is very important in the believer's life, for it is how we talk to God. It is our line of fellowship with Him. Then in the first part of verse five we discussed the Aspect of Love. We love the Lord because He first loved us. We are to have agape love one for another. We should love the lost--tell them that JESUS SAVES! The in the second part of verse five, and in verse six, we examined the Aspect of Faith. We saw how we need to effectively communicate our faith in three areas: 1) In public profession; 2) in trials and tribulations; and 3) in soul-winning. Finally, we concluded with the Aspect of Fellowship. We examined the joy and comfort of fellowship; then we looked at the results of fellowship. We learned how fellowship not only refreshes the believer, but encourages him as well.

This web page, by the grace and will of God, will get into the heart of the epistle. This is why Paul wrote to Philemon--to appeal to him on behalf of Onesimus. We will see Paul’s tact towards this situation, as well as his respect for Philemon, the barriers overcame to win Onesimus to Christ, and the law of imputation.

Paul here in our text provides a good example on dealing with possible conflict among Christian brethren. As God forgave us of our sin, so we must be willing to forgive those who have wronged us.

Onesimus was a run-away slave, who was saved when he came to Paul in Rome. Now Onesimus must return to his master with this letter from Paul. A letter which informs Philemon of his new brother in Christ. Noticed the three things mentioned in our text for Onesimus.

Outline

I. The Salvation of Onesimus (vs. 8-11).
A. Paul the aged (vs. 8, 9).
1. Paul sets aside his authority as an apostle (vs. 8).
a. Paul could have used his authority as an apostle of Christ (i. e. "pull rank") to command
Philemon to forgive Onesimus.
(I) Enjoin=command.
(II) Convenient=fitting, suitable, or proper; also required.
b. Instead, he wisely chose a more tactful approach.
(I) I Thessalonians 2:6--”Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when
we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”
(II) vs. 19.
2. Paul, out of love for Philemon, petitions his friend to forgive (vs. 9).
a. Paul out of love and respect--using great courtesy--petitions Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.
Paul was friends to both men. He could had used his authority as an elder and an apostle to
order Philemon what to do, yet Paul chose to appeal to his friend in Christian love.
b. The KJV Life Application Study Bible. {Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1989,
2151) --"Tactful persuasion accomplishes a great deal more than commands, when dealing with
people. Remember to exhibit courtesy and respect in dealing with people."
c. The statement, ". . . being such an one as Paul the aged . . ." is interesting. This is the only place
in Paul’s writings where we find this phrase. In Acts, Paul is called "a young man." Here, in
Philemon, we see him as Paul the aged. Paul was in the final years of his life when he wrote this
epistle. He was probably in his 60's at this time.
d. ". . . now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ." This brings us right back to verse one. It has already
been noted that Paul was a prisoner for the sake of the gospel--for the sake of Christ.
e. Ephesians 3:1--"For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles."
B. Onesimus the slave (vs. 10a).
1. Onesimus="profitable". More on this in a few moments.
2. He was a slave of Philemon. During the time of the apostles, slavery was very common--especially in
the Roman Empire. It is possible that Philemon might have obtained Onesimus before his own salvation.
3. Onesimus might have been very talented, since the Roman Empire often picked out the best young
people and placed them on the slave market. At some point Philemon had purchased Onesimus--as
previously stated prior to born again. This slave was in Philemon's home when the Apostle Paul won
Philemon to Christ.
4. Onesimus stole some money from Philemon and ran away. At some point, the slave made his way to
Rome and met with Paul. Since Philemon and Paul were such good friends, Onesimus must have heard
his master speak often of Paul--possibly even learned of the apostle's imprisonment from Philemon.
C. Onesimus the saved (vs. 10, 11).
1. Some barriers to overcome.
a. First, it should be noted that although Onesimus was a slave to Philemon, he did have another
master to whom he was a slave--namely Satan who caused him to sin!
(I) This is where we were at one time.
(II) John 8:34--"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin
is the servant of sin."
(III) But when Onesimus was born again, he was set free from the chains and bondage of sin--
for all his sins (past, present, and future) went under the precious blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Romans 6:14-18)!
b. When we witness, we always encounter barriers that we must overcome--walls of race,
economics, politics, religion, etc. We shouldn't let these barriers stop us from sharing the gospel
with someone.
(I) Illustration: Jesus ignored the racial, social, and religious barriers which were between Him
and the Samaritan woman (John 4:6-30). We ought to do the same.

(II) Paul ignored the barrier of slavery that stood between him and Onesimus. Slavery was a
barrier between people. There is no barrier that can keep one lost person from coming to
God. God can, will, and shall save anyone from the slavery and eternal punishment of sin.
(III) With God's strength and power we too can overcome any barrier that we may encounter
when soul-winning--just like Paul did with Onesimus (cf. Philippians 4:13).
c. There should not be any barriers separating us from one another as believers. We are one in Christ.
Please do not misunderstand what is being said. I have not transformed into some spineless,
compromising, New Evangelical, Ecumenical traitor to the Word of God and the fundamentals of the faith. GOD FORBID! The type of barriers that I speak of are ones such as: race, economics,
hurt-feelings, etc. Let's let Christ work in and through us to remove such barriers from our
fellowship with other believers.
2. Paul wins Onesimus to Christ (vs. 10).
a. Onesimus met Paul in Rome in his own house.
(I) Acts 28:30, 31--"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all
that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."
(II) During his first imprisonment, Paul was under house arrest in Rome.
b. Paul wins Onesimus to Christ even though in prison (vs. 10).
(I) I Corinthians 4:15--"For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not
many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel."
(II) Galatians 4:19--"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in
you."
c. Paul send him back with this letter to Philemon (cf. Colossians 4:7-9).
3. Onesimus becomes very useful to Paul's ministry (vs. 11).
a. Notice here Paul's play on words in verse eleven.
b. Until his salvation, any similarity between what Onesimus' name means and what he was like was
purely accidental--he wasn't living up to his name. But now that he has found Christ, Onesimus
could live up to his name better than ever. He was a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
He could now sing with joy the words of John Newton [1725-1807]:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I was once was lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind, but now I see.

c. We were also like Onesimus--lost and unprofitable to God! But God made us profitable by the
blood of His only begotten Son--Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:9, 10; cf. Romans 9:25, 26).

II. The Appeal For Onesimus (vs. 12-17).
A. Paul’s respect for Philemon (vs. 12-14).
1. The returning of Onesimus (vs. 12).
a. "Whom I have sent again . . ." Paul now sends Onesimus back to his master, who is now also his
brother in the Lord. Some believe that Onesimus might have been afraid to go back--fearing
what awaited him there. On the other hand, it may be that he missed his friends, family, and
familiar surroundings. By this point, Onesimus may have been ready to go back.
b. ". . . receive him . . . mine own bowels." Paul now starts to get into the heart of the issue. Paul is
asking Philemon to receive Onesimus as one who very dear to Paul's heart. Paul wanted Philemon
to willingly forgive Onesimus. We do not know how long Onesimus and Paul were together, but it
was long enough for the two to become very close. It was also long enough for Onesimus to grow
in the grace and knowledge of the Lord to where he became very profitable to Paul and his
ministry (see vs. 11).
2. The "profitable" Onesimus (vs. 13).
a. "Whom I would have retained with me . . ." Here we see how much Onesimus' company has
meant to Paul. It has brought he much comfort and relief. Paul would had love to keep Onesimus
with him, but he had to send the young man back to Philemon.
b. ". . . that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me . . . ." As it has already been stated,
Onesimus had become very useful to Paul in his ministry.
c. Dr. Oliver B. Greene--"Paul was confident that if Philemon were present with him, he would
minister to his needs as Onesimus had done. Therefore if Paul could have felt free to keep the
young man, in a sense Philemon would have been ministering 'by proxy' to one who was 'in the
bonds of the Gospel’ imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel." (Greene, Oliver B. and Mrs.Oliver
B. Greene, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to PHILEMON and The General Epistle of
JUDE. Greenville, SC: The Gospel Hour, Inc., c2001; page 33. Italics are his.)
(I) Philippians 1:7, 13--"Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel,
ye all are partakers of my grace. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace,
and in all other places."
(II) Philippians 2:30--"Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his
life, to supply your lack of service toward me."
(III) I Corinthians 16:17--"I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus:
for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied."
(IV) Hebrews 4:2--"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word
preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."
3. The respect for Onesimus' master (vs. 14).
a. "But without thy mind would I do nothing . . ." Paul would like to have kept Onesimus; however,
because of the apostle’s respect for Philemon, he would not do so without Philemon's consent.
Paul sent Onesimus back to his master.
(I) Remember that Onesimus legally was still owned by Philemon.
(II) On this matter, Paul wanted of Philemon:
(A) His mind.
(B) His benefit.
(C) His will.
b. ". . . that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly." Paul, here, was making it
clear to Philemon that he wasn't going to do anything without his consent.
(I) Mind=consent.
(II) Benefit=good.
(III) II Corinthians 9:7--"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
B. Paul"s request of Philemon (vs. 15-16).
1. The good of Onesimus' departure (vs. 15).
a. Genesis 45:5-8; cf. 50:20--"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
b. Romans 8:28.
2. The new relationship of Onesimus and Philemon (vs. 16).
a. What a change in Onesimus' life had been wrought since Jesus came into his heart. Onesimus was
no longer just a mere servant, but also a brother in Christ. Onesimus and Philemon were now both
members of God's family--that means they were equals in Christ.
(I) Always remember that your brothers and sisters in Christ are your equals before the Lord--
don't ever look down on them.
(II) Galatians 3:28--"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
b. Onesimus was no longer a servant to sin, but a child of God. Slavery was widespread in Paul's
day. Some believe that Paul here was hinting to Philemon to set his new brother in Christ at liberty.
Whether or not that was the case, Paul was mainly asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus, and
received this new brother with outstretched arms of fellowship. Paul neither condones nor
condemns slavery in his writings. He does, however, deals with the relationship between a man
and his servant.
(I) Colossians 3:22--"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with
eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God."
(II) Ephesians 6:5--"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ."
(III) I Timothy 6:2--"And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because
they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved,
partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort."
c. Onesimus was once a servant of sin, but now he is a servant of righteousness--a servant of God.
A believer is a servant of God (Romans 6:17, 18).
(I) Romans 6:17, 18--"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
(II) Matthew 23:8--"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye
are brethren."
(III) I Corinthians 7:22--"For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman:
likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant."
3. The reunion of Onesimus and Philemon (vs. 17).
a. What plea from the Apostle Paul! Paul and Philemon were partners in the ministry. They shared
(as all believers do) a "common faith." (Titus 1:4).
(I) Titus 1:4--"To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."
(II) II Corinthians 8:23--"Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches,
and the glory of Christ."
b. ". . . receive him as myself." Now that Onesimus was a Christian brother, Paul was asking
Philemon to gladly and freely receive him as he would Paul.
c. Dr. Oliver B. Greene--"It is a wonderful picture in miniature of our Saviour's intercession for us
before the Father and our acceptance in Him who intercedes as if He were pleading in our behalf,
'If Thou count me . . . a partner, receive him as myself.'" (Greene, 39)

Conclusion

Onesimus hurt Philemon, but Paul asked his friend to forgive. The same instruction is given to us, brethren. I have been hurt in my life time, and you have been hurt in your life time, but the Bible says to forgive. People have caused me pain, and people have caused you pain, but the Bible says to forgive. If the truth were known I have caused others pain--both indirectly and, sadly, purposely--but the Bible says to forgive. Some of you may have caused others pain--either indirectly or purposely--but the Bible says to forgive. We Christians are to forgive others as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us. Mark 11:25--"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." We need to forgive others and ourselves; if we refuse, then the weed of bitterness will take root. And God will not hear our prayers. So, children of God, let's be willing to forgive. Let's ask God to help us to forgive.

Lost person, right now, you are as Onesimus once was: a servant of sin. The only way to be set free is to come to Jesus for salvation. Right now, you are unprofitable, but you can made profitable in eyes of God. All you have to do is admit to God that you are a sinner; then by faith alone ask Jesus to come into your heart, save you, and forgive you of all your sins. Then you will be saved. Oh that you would flee the wrath to come! Don't delay, oh sinner! Come home! COME HOME!! YE, WHO ARE WEARY COME HOME!!! Please come to Jesus for His name sake. Then you will join those, who were once unprofitable, but were made profitable by the blood of the Lamb!

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