Deut 23:15, "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:"
While Paul was imprisoned at Rome, he shared the gospel with a runaway slave called Onesimus, leading him to trust in Christ. Paul sent Onesimus back to his owner, with a letter, the epistle of Philemon, explaining the spiritual transformation that had taken place in Onesimus.
But the Law was clear: Escaped servants could not be returned to their master. Yet, Paul sent runaway slave Onesimus back to Philemon. Why did Paul not follow Moses?
As a former Pharisee and Jewish Law scholar (Act 22:3; Phil 3:5), Paul was aware of what Moses commanded. But, the law was no longer applicable. The Body of Christ is under a whole new dispensation (set of divine laws). Grace could enable Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a “brother beloved” in Christ. So, through this reunion, Paul afforded them both an opportunity to experience just how forgiving, and unifying, God’s grace truly is!
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