Philemon, while being short in length, has much to say to the body of believers.
Philemon is not a letter explicitly about leadership, but many of its main themes can be applied to leadership. It gives helpful insight into ideas such as reconciliation, forgiveness, and partnership in the gospel. It’s a wonderful letter that reminds us that the gospel must change our lives and attitudes.
Philemon is a letter from Paul, written while he was imprisoned in Rome, to a slave owner named Philemon. Paul is writing to this well-off, godly man, to encourage him to take back a slave who had run away. Onesimus (whose name means “useful one”) was owned by Philemon but was guilty of a crime for which he was meant to be punished. While on the run, he met Paul and had become a believer. For this reason, Paul is imploring Philemon to receive him back with open arms, now as a brother in Christ.
In its most general sense, Philemon is itself a form of communication. However, within it the careful reader observes many examples of what faithful, godly leadership might look like regarding communication.
Firstly, there is a love and a care for those that, in this case Paul, is leading. Paul addresses not only his “beloved fellow worker” in Philemon (verses 1-2), but his wife (whom he calls a sister), his son (whom he calls a fellow soldier), and their entire church (to whom the entire letter is expected to be read). Paul goes above and beyond in his pastoral care for these people and that is essential in his communication.
Not only does Paul make clear his love for Philemon and his family, but he is able to communicate clearly the fact that something needs to be done differently regarding Onesimus. Paul is aware that this entire situation will be difficult for Philemon, given that Onesimus has wronged him (verse 18), but he is firm, clear, and pastoral, nonetheless. He makes clear his “confidence of his [Philemon’s] obedience” (verse 21) and is gracious therefore in his request, and even goes an extra mile by promising to repay all that Philemon is due (verse 18). All this Paul does mindfully and carefully so that he might communicate his intended purpose in the most loving and godly way possible.
One should show love and care, while being clear and articulate about how those following them should act and respond.
A second way in which Philemon as a letter might speak into the idea of leadership concerns social status, and our view of others. Paul’s teaching is clear, and it might be summed up in the words of another of his letters: “there is neither slave nor free…for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). Philemon is a wonderful picture of this gospel truth in action. Paul’s most significant countercultural claim through the letter is that Philemon might view Onesimus not as a slave and therefore “beneath him”, but rather as a brother. Philemon is not a letter that seeks to abolish slavery – as Paul would have understood that that could not be done in one letter – however, this “burning appeal to an unknown house-church in Phrygia is his way to begin to change the world”, as R. C. Lucas claims rightly.1
It’s an example of how the gospel changes lives and relationships. It is this example that, Paul knew, would grow and grow to a point where abolishment was possible on a larger scale. To be more specific, Paul’s view of Christian leadership in Philemon regarding social status, is that all should be seen equal. For Philemon, this will be seen by him receiving Onesimus back graciously and lovingly in spite of what society might think of that fact. Paul exemplifies this beautifully within the letter.
Paul’s usual opening to his letters often refer directly to his apostolic authority (for example 2 Tim. 1, “Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus”), however this is not the case in Philemon. He instead refers to his brotherhood with Timothy, Philemon and his household and church, to highlight this idea. Paul sees him not as a man beneath him in any way, but as a brother to be loved and taught. This type of leadership reflects Christ’s own teaching that one must come to serve and not to be served. This attitude is vital in the mind of a leader so as to reflect Christ and avoid arrogance and mistreatment of those one is leading.
Thirdly, Paul speaks and exemplifies faithful partnership. Unlike many in a position of power, Paul seeks not to dominate but rather to be partners with those he leads in the gospel. This ethical principle is vital in the life of a Christian leader.
All through the letter, Paul appeals to Philemon on the basis of love. This sort of language is used right the way through the letter. Not only does Paul not want to command him as shown in verse 8, but he sees those he is writing to as partners and as brothers in the gospel. This point is made all the sharper when one considers just how important Paul was to the church. It would have been easy or tempting for him to rely on his widespread influence to order others around. He instead reminds his readers again and again of his love of the gospel and of them.
In a world where abuse or mistreatment is prevalent, this attitude stands out even more – the gospel being lived out. It is clear that Paul wants to continue to work with Onesimus in the future (verse 21 implies a hope that Philemon may one day free Onesimus so that he might work alongside Paul), but even here Paul does not command.
This ethical idea of partnership in the gospel is essential for a leader within a ministry setting. Leaders must know that those they are leading and teaching are not their inferiors to be mistreated but their partners to be loved in the great commission. As Richard Melick Jr. summarises, “Individualistic ideas and ambitions become secondary, and participation in the larger work of God becomes primary”.2
For those of us in leadership, we must serve in a way that reflects the attitude of Paul in Philemon. In any area of ministry it is possible to grow a sense of entitlement or self-importance that can become detrimental to the work of the gospel. Philemon reminds us that as we lead and serve, we must have the right attitude. An attitude that seeks not to raise ourselves up and humble others but rather to humble ourselves and reflect Christ as we do so.
Alongside this mindset, we should also look to fostering partnerships in ministry. Paul makes it clear to all Christians that partnership in the gospel is fundamental as ministry is carried out. Because of this, we should strive to form relationships and partnerships with other workers for the gospel to sharpen our own ministry and encourage theirs.
Philemon reminds us that the gospel must change our lives and attitudes. For leaders, this change will be seen in communication to others, view of others and partnership with others in the gospel. What a beautiful reminder to be Christ-like in the way that we lead those we serve!
1R. C. Lucas and J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Colossians and Philemon, The Bible Speaks Today Series, 2014.
2Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, The New American Commentary v. 32, 1991.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Philemon, while being short in length, has much to say to the body of believers.
Philemon is not a letter explicitly about leadership, but many of its main themes can be applied to leadership. It gives helpful insight into ideas such as reconciliation, forgiveness, and partnership in the gospel. It’s a wonderful letter that reminds us that the gospel must change our lives and attitudes.
Philemon is a letter from Paul, written while he was imprisoned in Rome, to a slave owner named Philemon. Paul is writing to this well-off, godly man, to encourage him to take back a slave who had run away. Onesimus (whose name means “useful one”) was owned by Philemon but was guilty of a crime for which he was meant to be punished. While on the run, he met Paul and had become a believer. For this reason, Paul is imploring Philemon to receive him back with open arms, now as a brother in Christ.
In its most general sense, Philemon is itself a form of communication. However, within it the careful reader observes many examples of what faithful, godly leadership might look like regarding communication.
Firstly, there is a love and a care for those that, in this case Paul, is leading. Paul addresses not only his “beloved fellow worker” in Philemon (verses 1-2), but his wife (whom he calls a sister), his son (whom he calls a fellow soldier), and their entire church (to whom the entire letter is expected to be read). Paul goes above and beyond in his pastoral care for these people and that is essential in his communication.
Not only does Paul make clear his love for Philemon and his family, but he is able to communicate clearly the fact that something needs to be done differently regarding Onesimus. Paul is aware that this entire situation will be difficult for Philemon, given that Onesimus has wronged him (verse 18), but he is firm, clear, and pastoral, nonetheless. He makes clear his “confidence of his [Philemon’s] obedience” (verse 21) and is gracious therefore in his request, and even goes an extra mile by promising to repay all that Philemon is due (verse 18). All this Paul does mindfully and carefully so that he might communicate his intended purpose in the most loving and godly way possible.
One should show love and care, while being clear and articulate about how those following them should act and respond.
A second way in which Philemon as a letter might speak into the idea of leadership concerns social status, and our view of others. Paul’s teaching is clear, and it might be summed up in the words of another of his letters: “there is neither slave nor free…for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). Philemon is a wonderful picture of this gospel truth in action. Paul’s most significant countercultural claim through the letter is that Philemon might view Onesimus not as a slave and therefore “beneath him”, but rather as a brother. Philemon is not a letter that seeks to abolish slavery – as Paul would have understood that that could not be done in one letter – however, this “burning appeal to an unknown house-church in Phrygia is his way to begin to change the world”, as R. C. Lucas claims rightly.1
It’s an example of how the gospel changes lives and relationships. It is this example that, Paul knew, would grow and grow to a point where abolishment was possible on a larger scale. To be more specific, Paul’s view of Christian leadership in Philemon regarding social status, is that all should be seen equal. For Philemon, this will be seen by him receiving Onesimus back graciously and lovingly in spite of what society might think of that fact. Paul exemplifies this beautifully within the letter.
Paul’s usual opening to his letters often refer directly to his apostolic authority (for example 2 Tim. 1, “Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus”), however this is not the case in Philemon. He instead refers to his brotherhood with Timothy, Philemon and his household and church, to highlight this idea. Paul sees him not as a man beneath him in any way, but as a brother to be loved and taught. This type of leadership reflects Christ’s own teaching that one must come to serve and not to be served. This attitude is vital in the mind of a leader so as to reflect Christ and avoid arrogance and mistreatment of those one is leading.
Thirdly, Paul speaks and exemplifies faithful partnership. Unlike many in a position of power, Paul seeks not to dominate but rather to be partners with those he leads in the gospel. This ethical principle is vital in the life of a Christian leader.
All through the letter, Paul appeals to Philemon on the basis of love. This sort of language is used right the way through the letter. Not only does Paul not want to command him as shown in verse 8, but he sees those he is writing to as partners and as brothers in the gospel. This point is made all the sharper when one considers just how important Paul was to the church. It would have been easy or tempting for him to rely on his widespread influence to order others around. He instead reminds his readers again and again of his love of the gospel and of them.
In a world where abuse or mistreatment is prevalent, this attitude stands out even more – the gospel being lived out. It is clear that Paul wants to continue to work with Onesimus in the future (verse 21 implies a hope that Philemon may one day free Onesimus so that he might work alongside Paul), but even here Paul does not command.
This ethical idea of partnership in the gospel is essential for a leader within a ministry setting. Leaders must know that those they are leading and teaching are not their inferiors to be mistreated but their partners to be loved in the great commission. As Richard Melick Jr. summarises, “Individualistic ideas and ambitions become secondary, and participation in the larger work of God becomes primary”.2
For those of us in leadership, we must serve in a way that reflects the attitude of Paul in Philemon. In any area of ministry it is possible to grow a sense of entitlement or self-importance that can become detrimental to the work of the gospel. Philemon reminds us that as we lead and serve, we must have the right attitude. An attitude that seeks not to raise ourselves up and humble others but rather to humble ourselves and reflect Christ as we do so.
Alongside this mindset, we should also look to fostering partnerships in ministry. Paul makes it clear to all Christians that partnership in the gospel is fundamental as ministry is carried out. Because of this, we should strive to form relationships and partnerships with other workers for the gospel to sharpen our own ministry and encourage theirs.
Philemon reminds us that the gospel must change our lives and attitudes. For leaders, this change will be seen in communication to others, view of others and partnership with others in the gospel. What a beautiful reminder to be Christ-like in the way that we lead those we serve!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
