Philemon 1:20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
The book of Philemon is short and a quick read if you have never read it before. You could read through the whole thing now before beginning. It is one chapter and won’t take you very long. It was written by Paul to Philemon regarding Onesimus, a runaway slave. Paul was pleading with Philemon to accept Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. He even offered to pay any debts incurred by Onesimus, hoping to restore the relationship and see forgiveness and acceptance.
Paul pleaded with Philemon affectionately. He asked with emotional, pastoral appeal, asking for a favor from his friend. He wanted to see the two of them reconciled and to see Philemon not only forgive Onesimus for any wrongdoing but to accept him back into his household as a brother in Christ. Paul did not ask outright for Philemon to free Onesimus, but if you read the context it is implied.
Paul promised Philemon that forgiving and receiving Onesimus back would bring joy and spiritual refreshment. Philemon had every right as a slave owner, under Roman law, to punish or execute Onesimus, but Paul asked him to do the opposite instead and dismantle the social hierarchy of slave owner and slave.
The term “refresh my heart in Christ” had me wondering exactly what Paul meant, though. The rest of the book was fairly easy to understand but this phrase caught my attention and made me dig deeper to try to determine what was being said.
In the original Greek, the phrase meant to give rest or to pour cool water on a weary, burdened soul. Paul was asking Philemon to bring him comfort and joy by his actions towards this slave. His desire was to see love and reconciliation, not anger and bitterness. He wanted to see these two unite in mutual forgiveness and to see it happen would bring him immense joy and peace.
But what does that have to do with us? How can we apply this verse in our own lives? We may not be slave owners having someone plead with us to forgive a runaway, but we all have relationships in which we need to forgive others. We all have experiences where our soul is heavy from the broken fellowship. And reconciliation can restore not only our fellowship and renew relationships, but it refreshes the soul as well.
If you have broken fellowship with someone, if you are suffering discord in your relationship with a coworker, boss, or friend, if you are experiencing an interruption to the personal relations you have with someone close to you, give it to God and ask Him to help you to restore what is broken. Do your part and forgive them, reconcile, and renew your relationships. And then enjoy the renewal of your soul as you are filled with peace and joy at the outcome.
Prayer: Lord, I don’t like when I am at odds with those around me. Help me to restore any relationships that are broken. Help me to forgive and for the relationships to be renewed. Amen
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