In a world where human trafficking and slavery is front stage, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are springing up to address its many injustices.  To Paul, something greater loomed larger than the cause of slavery – it was the mission of the Gospel.  We see first-hand the fruit of such thinking and Gospel-centered orientation.  As a result, slave and master are now at the table and we have the Gospel and two new hearts to pave a real path toward truth and to God. 

To read Philemon is to read a real life example and focused exposition of Colossians 3:22–4:1 on slavery. The two letters, Philemon and Colossians, were sent together by Paul (both letters carried by Onesimus, the slave) to the Colossian church while he was imprisoned.  Both letters must be read together as the Colossian Christians would have done.

On one hand, Paul commands enslaved Christians to obey their masters and for masters to treat their slaves like their Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1). On the other hand, Paul appealed to Philemon, once Onesimus’ master, to accept Onesimus back into his household, not as a slave but as a brother in the Lord: “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother.” (Philemon 16) We see first-hand the wisdom of leading with the Gospel.  To Philemon, once a master, is now a servant of God and a slave to righteousness.  To Onesimus, once only a slave, is now covered with God’s glory and truly freed from the slavery of sin.  True freedom is brought to both and we see the glory of God shine in the lives of these two men.

Colossians 3:22–4:1 - 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master.

Philemon 1-16 - 1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.