In this letter we see love working in the assembly, divine love which is present in the heart of every believer. Also all believers have the divine nature which sometimes needs awakening.
From this simple setting-the assembly in the house of Philemon, a man well-to-do-we see a love going out to the world around him, through his ministry, in a limited way. He was faithful to the Lord; his wife was a believer as well.
Onesimus, a runaway slave belonging to Philemon, was converted in the prison through the Apostle Paul. Paul was sending him back to Philemon with a letter explaining what had happened and what the apostle would like to see upon the return of Onesimus the slave. The first duty of Onesimus was to get right with his master.
Paul wrote to Philemon, but also to the church that was in his house. Philemon was his fellow laborer, and Archippus his fellow soldier. Paul commended Philemon for all that he could, adding that he had refreshed the saints with his ministry.
For Philemon to pursue the natural tendency of his mind in regard to a runaway slave would be beneath the dignity of a faithful brother. A faithful God brought in, through Paul, circumstances which would awaken the Christian virtues of love.
In this account we see love, which is God's nature, brought before us in Paul, Onesimus, Philemon, and the assembly.
How good to have all of our matters of importance settled in the assembly. This enhances the precious truth of the one body and the divine love that flows throughout.
The apostle could have acted with power to bring Onesimus to the Lord's table because of his position as an apostle, but love would wait until Philemon acted on his own. Unprofitable in the past, Onesimus was now profitable to Paul and to Philemon.
Paul would have liked to have kept Onesimus with him to help in the work of the gospel but would not because he belonged to Philemon. He was sending him back so that Philemon could receive him in affection in Christ. What mighty bonds bring the children of God together in one bundle of life.
Onesimus had left Philemon for a short time that he (Philemon) might receive him back forever, not again as a slave, but as a brother beloved in the Lord.
Paul expected Philemon not only to refresh him with an answer prompted by love, but to do even more than he asked.
As this letter was written near the time of release from prison, the apostle desired Philemon to prepare him a lodging because he expected to visit him.
The apostle had the care of all the churches and writing of these precious letters to the churches, yet he could follow the details of such a matter as the position of a slave in regard to his relations with his master. This shows the divine mind-so vast holding worlds together, yet interested in the daily needs of His children, no matter what or where they are.