Our Loving Mediator

D. Scott Meadows

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account (Phm 18)

Paul’s epistle to Philemon is a singularly touching, personal, diplomatic, and loving appeal among the letters of the New Testament. It is often overlooked but is a treasure of rich instruction for us today. It is also a model of the courtesy and decorum that should, in general, characterize our personal correspondence, especially with our fellow believers.

Our text (v. 18) exhibits a three-way interpersonal relationship: one man wronged, another who wronged him, and a third who mediates between them. Their names, respectively, were Philemon the master of a great household, Onesimus his runaway servant now returning home, and Paul the apostle, their mutual friend, and the writer of this letter.

Paul probably knew Philemon first as one own of his own converts to Christ (v. 19). Later, in Paul’s imprisonment, Onesimus became another soul won by his evangelistic ministry (v. 10). We infer that Paul had counseled him to return and submit to his master once again (cf. Col 3.22-4.1), but now their relationship would be much deeper. They were brothers in the Lord (vv. 15, 16).

“Mediator” comes from a root word meaning “middle.” It denotes one who intervenes to restore the relationship of two parties in dispute with each other. Paul served that role here for Philemon and Onesimus.

The Need for a Mediator

To Philemon, Paul wrote, “If he [Onesimus] has wronged thee, or owes you ought [anything],” suggesting that this was actually the case. Onesimus had proved derelict in duty to his master, for starters. He may have stolen something for his getaway, to help pay travel expenses, for example. We just don’t know the specifics of any outstanding obligation—primarily financial—of Onesimus toward Philemon. It is likely that Paul did not know for sure either. Philemon would be the one to determine what would be a fair settlement for the loss he had suffered in the wrong.

It is likely that Onesimus, indebted like this, lacked the means of himself to pay what was owed. The life of poor first-century servants was hard, and adding punishment and restitution could have made it unbearable. Onesimus was facing a colossal crisis in his life, but for the love and generosity of Paul helping as a mediator on his behalf.

The Love of a Mediator

Having acknowledged the injustice, injury, and financial loss caused by Onesimus, Paul wrote further, “Put that on [or, charge that to, ESV] my account.” Paul expresses his true willingness to bear the cost himself, however great it might be, relieving Philemon of what he had suffered.

What loving magnanimity, what noble generosity! This is brotherly love on display toward both of them—mercy toward Onesimus and grace toward Philemon. Paul did not owe this, strictly speaking, to either of them, but with love toward both of them, he laid down his own personal rights and interests because their advantage was more important to Paul than his own. Paul illustrated in his own life the love he counseled others to show. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil 2.5 NKJV).

This is the fruit of a moral transformation God had wrought in the soul and life of one formerly known as Saul the Pharisee. Before he became Paul the apostle by the grace of God, Saul was a wretched sinner—a blasphemer [slanderer], a persecutor [systematically hunting down and hurting Christians], and an insolent [arrogant and outrageously hateful] man—the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1.12-15). But now Paul would far rather be insulted than insult anyone, suffer any injury rather than cause it, and spend himself for the advantage of others, even if it meant poverty for him.

We see very easily how admirable he is as a model and mentor for each one of us. How much good we could do in bringing people together in friendship if only we were willing to expend ourselves and our resources in saying and doing the most kind and peaceful things to parties in some relational tension! But instead of acting like unselfish mediators, too often, we must confess to our shame, we have rather exacerbated the relationships between others by sinful talk and stinginess even in practical matters. May the Lord show us His mercy, forgiving our sins and reforming our ways.

Our Unique Mediator

Paul’s character and conduct dimly reflect the person and work of our Savior, “the one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2.5). We are all runaway servants, with debts to God far beyond our ability to pay. You are Onesimus and so am I. Our faithful service is due to our Master in heaven who has loved and cared for us irreproachably. And the One whose spirit Paul possessed in a very small degree, the Lord Jesus Christ, in His Incarnation and Passion, laid hold of the offended God with one hand and the rebel servants with the other. With unspeakable love and arms stretched out upon the cross, He took the debt of our guilt upon Him, satisfied God’s justice in full, freed us from the law’s righteous claims against us, and brought us to God. This absolutely unique Lord who is both man and God in one adorable Person, is alone qualified to bring both parties together and to reconcile us by His bloody sacrifice in our place.

He paid a debt He did not owe / I owed a debt I could not pay
I needed someone to wash my sins away
And now I sing a brand new song / Amazing Grace
Christ Jesus paid the debt / That I could never pay. (copied)

Let grateful praises to our loving Mediator be heard evermore from us whom He has saved from ruin and restored to our Father’s house. Amen. Ω