Philemon 1:20

Philemon 1:20 concludes Paul's tender and deeply personal appeal to Philemon regarding his runaway slave, Onesimus. This verse acts as a heartfelt plea, leveraging the strong bond of Christian brotherhood between Paul and Philemon.

Context

The entire book of Philemon is a short, deeply moving letter from the Apostle Paul, written during his imprisonment (likely in Rome). It addresses Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae, concerning his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had encountered Paul in prison, became a convert to Christianity, and subsequently proved himself useful to Paul. Paul is now sending Onesimus back to Philemon, not as a returning slave to be punished, but as a "beloved brother" (Philemon 1:16). Verse 20 is Paul's final, gentle, yet powerful request, appealing to Philemon's Christian character and their shared faith to receive Onesimus with grace and forgiveness.

Key Themes

• Christian Brotherhood and Love: Paul addresses Philemon as "brother," highlighting their spiritual kinship in Christ. His request is framed within the context of mutual love and respect.
• Spiritual Refreshment and Joy: Paul expresses a desire for joy and spiritual comfort that Philemon can provide through his compassionate response to Onesimus. This isn't about physical comfort but deep, inner peace and satisfaction in the Lord.
• The Power of Forgiveness and Restoration: The underlying theme of the letter is Philemon's willingness to forgive Onesimus and restore him to a new relationship, reflecting Christ's own forgiveness towards us.
• Paul's Gentle Persuasion: Rather than issuing a command, Paul appeals to Philemon's conscience and love for the Lord, trusting that Philemon's Christian character will lead him to do what is right.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "refresh my bowels" might sound peculiar to modern readers. The Greek word translated as "bowels" is splagchna (σπλάγχνα). In ancient Greek, splagchna referred to the innermost parts or organs, which were metaphorically considered the seat of deep emotions, affections, compassion, and tender feelings. Therefore, "refresh my bowels" means to comfort, relieve, gladden, or bring deep spiritual satisfaction and emotional solace to Paul's innermost being. It's an appeal for Philemon to act in a way that brings Paul profound spiritual and emotional relief and joy, especially regarding the outcome of Onesimus's return. This concept of spiritual refreshment is also seen in Paul's expressions of joy in his afflictions.

Practical Application

Philemon 1:20 offers profound lessons for believers today:

• Extend Grace and Forgiveness: The verse challenges us to extend grace and forgiveness, even when it might be difficult or costly. Such actions bring joy and spiritual refreshment not only to those who receive it but also to those who observe and are impacted by it.
• Bring Joy to Others: Our Christ-like actions and willingness to reconcile can bring genuine joy and spiritual comfort to fellow believers, especially those in leadership or those carrying burdens.
• Live Out Your Faith: Paul's appeal reminds us that our faith is not merely theoretical but must be lived out in practical ways, influencing how we treat everyone, particularly those who may have wronged us.
• The Power of Reconciliation: The letter to Philemon, culminating in this verse, beautifully illustrates the ministry of reconciliation that is central to the Christian faith. It encourages us to be agents of healing and restoration in our relationships.