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4/25 Reading Portions: Numbers 2; Psalm 36; Ecclesiastes 12; Philemon 1
Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. Philemon 1:17
PARTNER
Though quite short among Paul’s epistles, this one is full of love, grace, redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The slave, Onesimus, who embezzled his master’s goods or robbed him, then fled to Rome, where he may have encountered Paul providentially, or else sought Paul out because he had seen him in Philemon’s house. Either way, he was with Paul for a while, the latter being a chained prisoner in his own rented house (Acts 28:30). Onesimus was converted to Christ under Paul’s ministry, and the apostle sent him back to his master, Philemon, with this letter in hand; and in it, Paul humbly asks Philemon to receive Onesimus, not only as a servant, but as a beloved brother in Christ (Philem 1:16). Paul, in fact, offered restitution for anything Onesimus owed so they may be reconciled (Philem 1:18), presenting a blessed example of Christ’s reconciling us to God, paying a debt He did not owe for a debt we owe and cannot possibly pay. There are many other things we can reflect upon in this very personal letter; and the verse we’re considering today is as powerfully poignant as any other in this epistle. In this little sentence, we should consider the word, “partner.” The IVP Bible Background Commentary says that…
“‘Partner’ was often a formal business term.”
That may be so, but the Greek word, κοινωνόν (koy-nō-NON), is what is translated, “partner.” If it sounds a lot like koinonia, the Greek word for fellowship or communion, it’s because koinonos is the root for koinonia. It’s as if Paul said to Philemon,
“So, if you consider that we have fellowship with Christ in common, then receive Onesimus as you would extend to me the right hand of fellowship.”
We may also take this example as if it were a letter from Christ Jesus unto you and me with regard to receiving a brother or sister in Christ. It’s as if our Lord Jesus says to us,
“What does it matter what this brother or sister has done in the past; nor does it matter what status they have in society, whether highly affluent or humble slave, if you consider Me a Partner, an Associate with whom you have sweet fellowship, receive him as you would receive Me.”
Truly, Jesus shows no partiality among the brothers and sisters in Christ (Jas 2:1). Hallelujah! What a Savior!
