As I study the Bible, I am amazed at what great truths can be found in what might be first viewed as “insignificant” verses. In giving us everything that we could possibly need for life, God chose every word of every verse for the express purpose of giving us all that we need (2 Pet. 1:3). We see this as we study “deep” passages like those found in Romans or Hebrews, but we can so easily overlook this kind of study elsewhere. Look at how this principle applies to how Paul described a slave who was “more than a slave.”
It is found in the only one chapter book the apostle penned, and it concerned a slave who Paul taught while in prison in Rome. His name was Onesimus, who had run away from his master, Philemon. Paul had converted Philemon and now writes every word of this letter to him with his own chained hands. Paul expected that he would soon be released and asked Philemon to prepare a room for him when he arrived after his release.
Can you imagine the joy there would have been in that reunion? What a great reception there would have been! However, before Paul came, there was to be another person coming to Philemon’s house. Paul asked him to receive this guest like he would hopefully be able to receive Paul. We know some of the names of some of those brethren who were with Paul—Mark, Luke, and Demas—but none of them were mentioned as coming. Who was this important person that Paul asked Philemon to welcome? It was a slave who had served Philemon before he had run away.
That slave may have even stolen things to take with him as he fled, and Paul offered to pay any amount owed. Paul writes this letter to ensure that when Onesimus arrived he would be looked at in a far different way. It is true that he was a slave, but Paul tells Philemon to treat this slave who returned to serve his master in a different way.
Read every word of this letter carefully and think of how it applies to people who are in your life. He had been a slave, but Paul says that now he returns “more than a slave.” He is a brother. He is a beloved brother. He is a brother in whose life God possibly had brought circumstances that lead to his conversion. He is a brother who had served Paul while the apostle was in prison. Read every word of this short letter and one great lesson is found. It all had changed. He was still a slave, but he was more than a slave.
Look at your brothers in Christ. We are all different in our in many ways. Never look at any fellow Christian with any view that is greater than we are now brothers. This alone changes it all. We are all different but all that truly matters is that we are all brothers. We are beloved brothers in Christ!