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    As we look at the letter written to Philemon, we note that Onesimus, Philemon's slave, had fled slavery.  According to Roman law, there were no limitations "to the power of the master over his slave...Slaves were constantly crucified for far lesser offences than" being a thief and a runaway (Lightfoot, 314).  Realizing this, Onesimus left Colosse and ended up in Rome.  Upon his arrival he came in contact with the apostle Paul.

      Under Roman law, a runaway slave was afforded one right, namely, that of appeal to his master's friend for advocacy and intercession (Nagy, 7).  As we consider the parallel, we are God's property, but as sinners have robbed him and fled as fugitives.  By the law, we stand condemned.  However, grace has given us the right of appeal.  As Onesimus made his appeal to Paul, so we make our appeal to Christ.  As Paul took Onesimus' debt upon himself, saying, "Put that to my account," so has Jesus Christ taken on our debt of sin even though he knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).

    Sometimes we have a lack of true repentance.  When we have wronged someone, we try to blame someone else for our mistake—in many cases, those of our closest association.  However, as Christians we should be above the trite ways many handle difficult daily dealings.  Will Christianity work when an influential Christian "employer" has been wronged (perhaps even robbed) by one of his "employees"?  Paul's short letter to Philemon indicates that the apostle does not doubt the power of Christianity.  Therefore, in an unlikely place (a book of 25 verses) we can find true repentance exemplified.

    There are at least two possibilities as to how Paul and Onesimus met.  First, it could have been at this time that Epaphras had come from Colosse on a visit to Paul (Colossians 1:7-8; 4:12-13).  Or, it might be that Oneimus had soon exhausted his funds and stood in desperate need.  He may have been familiar with the name of Paul, for no doubt Philemon often spoke about him, and he turned to Paul as a last resort.  How they met is not specifically stated, but Onesimus quickly grew, and shortly became an asset to the apostle—so much so that Paul "wished to keep with" him that "he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel" (verse 13).

    Whether it be the relationship of master-servant, employer-employee, government-citizen, or husband-wife, the secret to solving the social and industrial problem of a lack of true repentance is the application of Christian principles.

    I feel it is essential to note that the story of Onesimus depicts the truth that repentance demands restitution.  Paul nowhere minimizes the wrong suffered.  Repentance is not blind to the facts, and Paul does not seek to condone Onesimus' behavior toward Philemon.  The truth is, repentance demands restitution to the fullest extent.  Would Onesimus have been justified had he not gone back to Philemon, despite his baptism and profitability to Paul?  Certainly not!  Would a bank robber be justified in keeping stolen money after he had been baptized?  Certainly not!  This principle can also be paralleled to one who lives in an adulterous relationship and, after baptism, claims he is justified to maintain the adulterous relationship.

Paul did not reason that Philemon would understand and that it would perhaps limit the apostle's work to release Onesimus back to Philemon.  Rather, Onesimus (as well as Paul) knew what was the right thing to do and he resolved to go back to Philemon and make restitution.  True repentance!

    Onesimus had to count the cost.  Philemon held the sentence of life or of death.  Yet, despite the hardship which would be placed upon him, Onesimus decided to return.  Why?  Because he knew that true repentance demanded restitution!  Regardless of who it might hurt, Onesimus knew that unless he returned and made restitution, he would not have been justified.

    The Bible does not give us "the rest of the story".  We do not know if Philemon forgave Onesimus and sent him back to Paul or not.  However, in all likelihood, Philemon freed Onesimus of his debt and sent him to "minister to Paul" (verse 13).  Ignatius, a second century writer, reported that Onesimus later became a gospel preacher and worked with the church in Ephesus.