The Motives for Forgiveness

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philemon 19-25 ESV)

What is, or are, the ultimate motives for seeking forgiveness or receiving the same? Paul concludes his brief letter to Philemon answering that question.

The motive for forgiving anyone, or seeking to be forgiven, stems first from a personal obligation. An obligation is an understanding of what a believer “ought” to do before God and others. Paul says. “I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.  Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ” (Philemon 19-20 ESV).  

The second motive of forgiveness originates from the first. Not only are believers in Christ obligated to forgive, but they also have a personal responsibility to forgive. The follower of Jesus not only “ought” to forgive, but also carry it out. We ought to forgive and we are to forgive. 

The text says, “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philemon 1:19-25, ESV)

Paul wants Philemon to welcome back Oneimus with open arms. To do so willingly and grudgingly. 

Paul’s reference to Mark would have been significant. Paul’s relationship with Mark has healed from the discord which had existed in the past. See Acts 15:38-40. Philemon would realize that Paul had worked through some forgiveness of his own. As do we!