Philemon 17 17Therefore, if you have fellowship with me, accept him as me.
Paul now summarizes his appeal to Philemon in behalf of Onesimus, indicated by the transition word therefore. Paul restates the request in simple terms in verse 17. This is the central theme of the letter. The key imperative of the letter is in the phrase accept him as me. Paul wants Philemon to welcome Onesimus back as if he were welcoming Paul himself. Paul hopes and expects that Philemon will respond appropriately to this request.
Paul inserts himself into the mix and puts some social pressure on Philemon. He builds on his prior relationship with Philemon of perhaps times when they had fellowship (koinōnon) together. This fellowship need not be in the past in a physical sense. The verb have is in the present tense, so this fellowship could be spiritual in nature also. They have a common bond in their faith in Jesus Christ that creates a fellowship that goes beyond time and distance.
Paul could also be appealing to his position of being highly respected and honored in the early church and in particular by Philemon. Onesimus could be Paul’s representative to Philemon and should receive the same type of honor and respect that Paul would receive. This is a tremendous reversal of how most slaves were treated in that society. Paul was flipping slavery over and lifting up Onesimus as a new believer in Christ.
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