The Equality of Servants and Masters in Philemon: A Lesson on Social Ethics

The Epistle of Philemon provides us with a clear perspective of the relationship between a servant and a master.

Aside from the second and third Letters of John, it is, without doubt, the shortest book in the New Testament.

This simple and small letter is not to be taken for granted, however, as we can glean immense wisdom from the minimalistic letter. It is a glimmer of hope, of restoration, and, above all, a mighty testimony to the conduct expected of us as believers. Mirroring the idea of the prodigal son is one function of this letter.

Even the small letters of the Scriptures have immaculate wisdom we should seek to follow in our daily walk.

Before we dive into interpreting the Epistle of Philemon, as well as the relationships between the parties within the account, we need to understand the context of slaves in the Eastern mindset and the language involved in translation.

It’s often assumed there is a horrible relationship between the two men involved in the agreement mentioned here, but many times the master and slave relationship is provisioned between a laborer and a boss.

In other words, it is essentially employment.

The cruelty we often force upon the text of the Scriptures compared to the days of the slavery in America is foreign to the Bible. A biblical believer will never treat someone like trash and unworthy of dignity.

While real slavery is prevalent throughout the biblical texts, not all slaves were discarded as refuse and despised.

In fact, a servile attitude between a slave and master could be a positive relationship.

Many modern translations seem to put forth the idea of true biblical slavery by using the word servant. A slave was indeed a servant, but sometimes, you might think of them as lower in station than the master.

A slave may have only chosen that lifestyle to get food and shelter, and the master may have had much compassion for an individual in that status. I am not condoning slavery in any capacity, but rather trying to establish the correct framework of slavery regarding this account in Philemon.

Both were believers, and both understood one serves another. Under Christ, servants serve the masters as much as masters also serve the servants. Men and women are to enrich each other’s lives, standing equal before God even with the certain roles ascribed to them. Humanity is to be equal, no matter what their station.

A believer should treat people who are less fortunate than they are, as well as they treat someone who has six Ferraris.

Our material goods are worthless when we leave this life, and our character and impact truly remain.

Onesimus in this epistle fled to find Paul to escape his master. Paul ends up converting him to faith and teaches Onesimus a precious lesson on obedience.

We can safely say that Paul was a sort of father figure to the runaway slave, as he converts the man, giving lessons on serving. Paul is also the reason that Philemon became a Christian, and he even states that Philemon owes Paul “his own self.”

He asks Philemon to give him a refreshment of heart by accepting Onesimus without punishment, even though the slave had utterly dishonored his master by stealing from him and running away.

In the ancient world, slaves that ran were often beaten and killed, and there was little compassion in many masters to begin with.

We can see that Philemon was urged by Paul to be merciful to his slave, and Paul said he would cover the charge in his place. We see the bearing of a fellow brother’s burden in Paul’s actions here, as well as the equal footing that members of the body of Christ have in their faith.

The book of Galatians 3:28 states that: “… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus [ESV].”

Paul offers the readers the example of equality among the faithful, at least as far as Christian identity is concerned.

We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, and a household servant is a close relationship that could be seen as family.

The notion that all are one in the Messiah gives us a clue how we should view those of higher and lower statuses.

We are to be equal to everyone, because God Himself is partial to no one. God may be the one who ordains one man wealthy, and another poor, but that is no excuse to treat them in a contemptible manner.

Paul speaks on behalf of Onesimus and admonishes Philemon to be loving and compassionate over wrathful.

This letter gives us a glimpse into the character of God as well, because God never leaves us or forsakes us. We are mere men or women, but should we forsake one another?

I cannot help but to think of 1 John 4:20, where we are told that “If any man hates his brother whom he has seen, then how he can love God who he has not seen [ESV].”

Paul wanted to keep the servant as a missionary in the field, rather than have him return to his former condition of bondage, but Paul ultimately considers it a worthy cause to have him return to his master that the Messiah might not be dishonored. In fact, I’d argue he uses this situation to show the equality of believers.

Philemon was a successful man, who did many works for the kingdom of God.

The opening of Paul’s letter describes his works, and how many saints had received refreshment from Philemon. We can safely assume that this man was not necessarily an evil master to his slave, but a compassionate man to begin with. We simply do not have enough evidence to condemn him as a terrible man, but we can conclude that Onesimus was simply tired of his servitude.

Even if the servant was treated well by his master, many of us in the modern era can understand the need for a break from repetitive tasks and the routines of employment. Still, those under a master should serve that master to the best of their ability.

Perhaps Onesimus wanted freedom due to being burned out?

We’ve all been there, haven’t we?

We cannot say that Paul would condone the theft of his master’s riches, but he certainly had mercy on the man.

In fact, the letter hints Paul and Philemon were partners, so he tells the master to be kind to his slave, as partners are on equal footing with each other.

Paul is not saying that the issue was slavery at all, but rather his intent is for complete forgiveness for Onesimus’s transgression, as well as viewing him as a brother instead of beneath him.

The entire point of the letter is to show Philemon and every other believer that despite the way the world is run by those in power and institutions such as slavery, we are all equal in the Messiah.

Paul does not condone slavery at all, but rather shows us the need for proper obedience, and how the kingdom of God is above all the ways of man. Christ is the demise of slavery and inequality, even if such practices continue in the secular world in many nations not enlightened by Western values.

Within the parameters of my own life, I have much use for the knowledge I have gained from studying this epistle now and then.

God creates all men, whether they are Hebrew, Christian, male, female, or anything else that seems to be divided.

Therefore, I have a duty to my fellow man (or woman) to exemplify love and proper witness to the character of the Messiah.

I view this letter as one of forgiveness and restoration, as well as a blueprint for treating those above and below me with proper respect.

A situational example of this might be:

If someone steals from me or insults me, I will not return insult for insult, and I will gladly pardon them of their iniquity against me, after justice has been served. God is a God of justice, too, meaning thievery needs to be rectified.

But the animosity over being stolen from isn’t needed forever.

It doesn’t serve me to be bitter over something that can easily be remedied by showing love, and (like in the story of the runaway slave) material possessions are just that.

They mean much less than the eternal joy and gladness of fellowship within the body of Christ. Paul gives us a way to deal with grievances, as well as the proper method of restoration and reconciliation in troublesome matters.

This wisdom helps my professional life, as well as my social life, because looking at others favorably will only result in blessings and goodness for all the parties involved.

Not only does the Epistle of Philemon lay out the proper relationship between servants and masters, but we can learn much about resolving conflict peacefully.

Men and women in Christ are to be equal, rather than remain in a distinction of class and status. Servants are to be faithful to their masters, as employees are to be faithful to their bosses.

We are not to look down upon another human being, but rather look at them with a loving understanding that they, too, were made in the image of God.

Service to another and being wholly free are essentially irrelevant to each other in the kingdom of heaven, because all men are of equal status in the eyes of God.

When brothers and sisters in Christ are joined in unity, there is no such thing being under another but Christ alone.