Your Debts Have Been Paid In Full. (Philemon v17-20)

Source: Prison Ministry Partners

So, the apostle Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus (v1) is contending the faith. His message is simple, just believe. He has already told Philemon to praise God through Jesus Christ, remember his new outlook on life and to be effective, now he turns to the soul purpose of the letter, Onesimus.

Verse 17
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 

'my partner': Paul counts Philemon as a colleague in Christ and as such, instructs him to 'receive [Onesimus] as you would receive me'. The Gospel-powered event that caused Philemon to be changed automatically makes him a brother in Christ Jesus and now, Philemon hears Onesimus has experienced the very same life-changing power of the Gospel.

Verse 18-19
If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it - to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 

Any debt due Philemon as a result of Onesimus' behaviour is to be credited to Paul's account and must be completely wiped clean from Onesimus' ledger. Paul testifies 'I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it', assuring Philemon any debt will be paid in full by Paul. However, Paul reminds the slave owner, that he, himself, is indebted to the apostle for being introduced to the Gospel, in fact, owes 'even [his] own self': his spiritual life is indebted to Paul because through him he was converted. This is a far greater debt than anything Onesimus owes Philemon.

Verse 20
Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

And so, Paul reiterates his request of Philemon by assuming he will follow his advice. 'I want some benefit from you in the Lord', it is clear Paul wants Philemon to 'obey' him, but by his own free choice. He wants Philemon to want to help Onesimus and in doing so, not only will he become more effective in his faith, he will 'refresh [Paul's] heart in Christ'.

Onesimus is free from the bondage of sin, he is no longer a slave to sin, he has been set free by the blood of Christ Jesus, just as Philemon has been. The same Gospel message that Philemon, the master of slaves heard that brought about his changed life was also heard by Onesimus, the slave. Therefore, by that very fact, if Philemon is to accept he is saved and now a prisoner of the Gospel (just as Paul is quite literally!), he must also accept Onesimus' new status as a Christian brother.

Paul models the transforming love of the Gospel, he takes its very essence and shows Philemon what it means to be effective in his faith. He declares he will repay all debts due to Philemon as a result of what Onesimus has done. In return, Philemon must declare Onesimus' ledger clean. This is the Gospel message!

Christ Jesus has ultimately repaid our debts, with his very life! In return, he declares our ledgers clean. Just as Philemon is indebted to Paul, we are indebted to Christ 'even [our] own self!

Because Christ died with our sin (i.e. our debt to God), we are no longer slaves to sin, but prisoners of God's grace.

Hallelujah!