Brotherly Love & Forgiveness

In the few sentences that make up the brief letter between Paul and Philemon, there are two themes that Paul addresses that occur throughout his other epistles and are also found throughout the whole of Scripture. Two of the overarching themes that are present in Philemon address being a “brother” in Christ, and what it looks like to forgive as a believer. The letter began with Paul establishing his position as a follower of Jesus. He then made the same claim about Philemon, whom he was writing to, calling him a “beloved fellow worker” (vs. 1). It is upon this common ground in Christ that Paul made his appeals that occur throughout the rest of the this letter. He spoke to Philemon, not as one whom he was at odds with, but as one whom he shared a God-provided identity with.

In verses 4–7, Paul began to address his “brother” and share with him the joy and encouragement that was produced in the church through his faith. In verse 7, Paul said, “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother.” Paul saw the love that Philemon had, and how this love encouraged both himself, and the fellow brothers. This theme of brotherly love and encouragement was seen throughout Paul’s letters. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul again stated the need to be thankful, “because God chose you as the first-fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” Paul had a deep love for his brothers in Christ, and realized that God is the one doing the work both in him and his brothers. This gave him reason to give thanks, not because he or his brothers were worthy of it, but because God was the one doing the work in them.

Paul saw this work that God was doing in his brothers, and it generated a deep love for his brothers. In 1 Thessalonians 4:9, he said, “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” God was cultivating a brotherly love amongst those who followed him. This theme of brotherhood is consistent throughout the New Testament. In Romans 12:10a, Paul said it plainly, “Love one another with brotherly affection.” Jesus stated it clearly in Matthew 23:8, saying, “…for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.” Once in the body of Christ, we are adopted as sons, and we ought to love the brothers that the Father has also adopted. John also stated this truth in 1 John 4:21, “And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

God showed His love to His adopted sons through forgiveness. Therefore, forgiveness must also be evident between the brothers. In Philemon 8–22, Paul addressed this need for Philemon to forgive Onesimus. He began to speak of Onesimus’ new found state that was the same as both Paul and Philemon. Onesimus had put his faith in Jesus, and was now a brother in Christ. Paul asked that Onesimus would be treated as he would be treated in coming to Colossae. He was asking for Onesimus to be forgiven. Forgiveness between brothers is another repeated theme throughout Paul’s epistles and the NT.

In Colossians 3:13b, Paul said, “as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Paul realized that God’s adoption of His people included the forgiveness of their sins. Therefore, His people must also show forgiveness towards each other. Jesus addressed this during the sermon on the mount, saying, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” As a brother who had been forgiven, Philemon would know the grace that had come through Jesus. Paul was appealing to Philemon to show this grace to Onesimus as a brother in Christ. The brotherly love that came through adoption, should now reflect the forgiving heart of their Father.

Do we love our brothers and sisters in this way? When we are wronged do we show forgiveness? This is the way of Jesus. Paul is encouraging Philemon to show the grace of Jesus. That same encouragement is true today. We are called to show the very love and forgiveness we have been shown. We are called to forgive.