Some background for St. Paul’s letter to Philemon: Onesimus (the name means “useful” and Paul puns off of it) is a runaway slave. He somehow met Paul and was converted to Christianity. Paul decided to send Onesimus back to his owner, Philemon, so the he “might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother.” You can see Philemon’s dilemma. In Roman law a runaway slave is subjected to severe punishment, up to crucifixion. If Philemon heeds Paul’s request and not only doesn’t punish Onesimus but even frees him you can imagine all his slaves becoming Christians and asking for manumission, “as brothers.” His livelihood will be ruined. What does our faith in Jesus demand of us?
