Rosenstanck-Huessy viewed truth as social necessity. Indeed, truth needs to be placed and shared in the midst of the people. Paul makes a similar point in Philemon when he spoke about the fellowship (koinonia) of truth deepening our understanding of the riches we have in Christ. Only by placing truth in the social realm we are able to change. As Huessy’s famous Latin phrase declares respondeo etsi mutabor (I respond although I will be changed).
Koinonia
Paul’s use of koinonia in Philemon is a way of describing mutual identification. To be in koinonia with one another is to be mutually identified with that person. It means sharing in sorrow and joy; fellowshipping in biblical truth. For Paul, if Philemon understands the full consequences of this fellowship, (this sharing) then he will receive Onesimus with joy.
Reconciliation
Paul embodies the life of reconciliation. But reconciliation is not devoid of tact and graciousness. In Paul’s appeal to Philemon he begins with grace and greetings, rather than accusation and forceful terms. Paul’s reconciliatory letter is a mediatorial letter. Pastors–in one sense–and parishioners–in another sense–carry this mediatorial role.
Reconciling Philemon and Onesimus requires wisdom; a wisdom that we need to exercise in reconciling brothers and the world. Like Jesus, reconciliation first demands death before life can be breathed into brokenness.
The Gospel of Reconciliation
Luther said that in Philemon, Paul is “playing Christ in the drama.” The drama of Philemon is the drama of reconciliation; not merely between Philemon and Onesimus, but reconciliation within the koinonia of the body. The church is constantly bombarded by those who would pursue its fragmentation. But as N.T. Wright observed:
But there will always be forces that try to tear the church apart. But there will always be the gospel itself to point the way—of humility, forgiveness and reconciliation—by which unity can be not only precariously preserved but solidly established.
The answer to disunity is and forever will be the gospel of grace, which is reconciliation.