I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. Philemon 1:12-14

The Apostle Paul is now making the heartbreaking decision to send Onesimus back to Colossae, so why is he doing this? First reason is Onesimus is now a Born Again Christian, a brother in Christ, and he wants to make amends with Philemon, who was his master and whom he stole money from. Paul is pleading with Philemon and the Church of Colossae to forgive and accept Onesimus as their brother in Christ.

Secondly, Paul believes Onesimus will be very useful for the Church of Colossae. Onesimus has been a great help to Paul, however the Apostle knows his days are numbered, while in the Roman prison, Paul will eventually be beheaded and fulfill his race for Christ. 

Now during this exchange, we learn of another faith servant named Tychicus. This brother may not be a household name like Paul, but he is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament (Acts 20:4, Romans 15:25-26, Ephesians 6:21) In the epistle to the Colossians , its stated this about Tychicus

7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that [b]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. (Colossians 4:7-9)

The Apostle Paul has sent Onesimus back with Tychicus to Colossae, its clear Paul has great trust in Tychicus, and respects him as a faithful minister in Christ. Paul is entrusting this Epistle to Philemon, will be delivered by Tychicus with Onesimus. I’m sure with Tychicus great reputation in the Church, it will be more appealing for the Church of Colossae to accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ

Notice Paul states “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing” meaning Paul is not forcing Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus, Paul is pleading as a brother and Apostle, to trust him , and the testimony of Tychicus, the Onesimus is redeemed and Born Again!

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. Philemon 1:8-11

So now that we know the history the Apostle Paul has with Philemon and his wife Apphia, we are going to see Paul use his apostolic authority to plead to them to receive Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. To understand what Paul is asking here, we need to first understand who Onesimus was and what he did.

Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon, as the time Onesimus was not a Christian and he stole money from Philemon. Onesimus then fled to Rome to try and disappear as a fugitive. While in Rome, Onesimus has met the Apostle Paul while in prison , as he says “whom I have begotten while in my chains” It’s believed Onesimus was serving time in prison, which would make sense since he broke Roman law by running away and stealing from his Master. But while in prison, Onesimus became saved in Christ by the teachings of the Apostle Paul

So as Paul states here “though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting” Paul understands Philemon is going to have bad feelings towards Onesimus, but Paul wants him to trust him, by his relationship with him and his authority as an Apostle. Onesimus has now become Born Again in Christ, he’s not the same man who he once was, can we relate to this story? I’m sure Paul can relate to this story, as in his old life persecuted Christians, and when he became saved, the Church was at first reluctant to receive him also. So Paul understands Philemon, and probably the whole Church of Colossae concerns.

Paul developed a close relationship with his new disciple Onesimus, calling him “my son”, he also said “whom I have begotten” So its clear the Apostle Paul truly believes that Onesimus has truly been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, he has faith Onesimus is a true convert in Christ, and wants the Christian community to forgive him and receive him as a brother in Christ

As the Apostle Paul states “whom was once unprofitable or useless to you, but now is profitable or useful for you” Paul not only believes Onesimus is a brother of Christ, but he could also be a great benefit to the Church of Colossae. He is pleading to them , to forgive and receive Onesimus as a Child of God, Amen!