Philemon is a personal letter from Paul to his friend Philemon. Philemon illustrates how that relationship with God effects the way we live out our lives in the here and now. Paul wanted this letter to be shared so that others could understand the unique way the gospel affects the way that Christians live in relationship with one another.

Philemon gives us one of the most practical looks at how sin isn’t just an abstract offense toward God, but destroys human relationships. Sin multiplies sin. The master/slave relationship between Philemon and Onesimus has led to both men sinning against each other. The theological conclusion of this situation is that sin multiplies. Sin multiplies sin because we justify our sins by the sins of others. One sin doesn’t justify another, one sin multiplies into more sin.

Why do sins need to be forgiven? Because sin will never be done away with unless sins are forgiven. Not only can we stop the cycle of sin, but we can perpetuate grace. This is what Paul is trying to do in Philemon, facilitate Gospel reconciliation to stop the destructive pattern of sin. Not just to right a wrong, but to turn a cycle of destruction back towards a righteous trajectory.

Paul wants restoration for Philemon and Onesimus. It seems Paul wanted Philemon, not just to forgive Onesimus, but to free him. He says, “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave–as a dearly loved brother.”

When the grace of God comes into our lives, we are forgiven, stopping the cycle of sin in our lives. Grace changes our hearts so that we reach to each other and we are bound to each other in Christ’s church. We are no longer strangers in this world. We are dearly beloved brothers and sisters.