Does Christian brotherly love really work, even in situations of extraordinary tension and difficulty?

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Philemon (New Testament person)
Philemon (New Testament person) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Does Christian brotherly love really work, even in situations of extraordinary tension and difficulty? Will it work, for example, between a prominent slave owner and one of his runaway slaves?

Paul had no doubt.

The apostle writes a “postcard” to Philemon, his beloved brother and fellow worker, on behalf of Onesimus—a deserter, thief, and formerly worthless slave, but after his conversion in Rome, now Philemon’s brother in Christ. With much tact and tenderness, Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back with the same gentleness with which he would receive Paul himself. Ordinarily, a runaway slave would be treated harshly; but Paul carefully reminds Philemon that, in Christ, he is now a fellow heir to the grace of God. Any debt Onesimus owes, Paul promises to make good. Knowing Philemon well, Paul feels confident that brotherly love and forgiveness will carry the day.

Philemon was likely one of Paul’s converts and had become a church worker. Onesimus had met Paul in Rome and became a Christian, so Paul writes to Philemon on Onesimus’s behalf to ask Philemon to forgive and reinstate Onesimus.

Since this letter is addressed to Philemon in verse 1, it became known as Pros Philemona, “To Philemon.” Like 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, it is addressed to an individual; but unlike the Pastoral Epistles, Philemon is also addressed to a family and a church (v. 2).


Stanley, C. F. (2005). The Charles F. Stanley life principles Bible: New King James Version (Phm). Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles.

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