If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
--Philemon 1:17-18 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on September 21, 2013 of Proverbs 6:16-19; Philemon; Isaiah 7-8.
Paul's letter to Philemon is one of the Prison Epistles, written during his time under house arrest in Rome. Philemon was a slave holder and a Christian, with a house church meeting in his family residence. Onesimus, whose name means "useful" or "beneficial", was one of his slaves who had run away and apparently stole from Philemon before fleeing. He made it to Rome, where he somehow met Paul who led him to Christ. Onesimus was just one of millions of slaves in the Roman Empire and Philemon just one of many slave holders in the church. Paul intended this letter to provide guidelines for other Christian masters in their relationships with those of their slaves who were also believers. Paul did not try to question or abolish the prevalent practice of slavery, but hoped to lessen its impact among believers (please see "Pursue Righteousness"). Paul's letter also showed Christian slaves they had a duty to their masters who were also brothers in the faith. In Onesimus' case, returning to Philemon could have resulted in his death, as was the normal punishment for this offense. So Paul wrote this deeply personal letter to Philemon, who himself might have been another of Paul's converts, appealing to him to not only spare Onesimus' life but to send him back to Paul so as to serve him in substitution for the service Philemon could have provided. Paul noted that as an Apostle he could have ordered Philemon to abide by his wishes, but chose instead to base his request on love and Christian fellowship.
In this beautiful letter, Paul attempts to intercede on behalf of a slave, one of the lowest of society, with the intent of saving his life. This serves as a powerful illustration of Jesus' intercession for all of mankind and His offer of eternal salvation. Paul notes that perhaps it was all part of God's plan that Onesimus run away from Philemon, because in doing so he met Paul and became a believer and was saved. It is indeed God's great plan that through Jesus all mankind might be saved. In today's focus verses, Paul pleads with Philemon as a partner, a fellow worker for Christ. He even offers to repay Philemon for anything this whole incident cost him. Philemon can put anything he is owed on Paul's account and he will cover it. This is what Jesus did for us. He took all our sins, all our offenses against God, and put them onto His account and covered the debt with His blood.
When we believe, we accept Jesus as our Lord and Master. We willingly become His possessions, bought and paid for by His sacrifice. We are His and He is ours. We can never flee His love. Amen.
Dear Lord, help us please to not fail to see other believers as our brothers and sisters, to not treat them any differently no matter what their current station in life might be. Please help us to see them through Your eyes, created in Your own divine image. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being our good and faithful Master. We pray in Your name, gracious Jesus. Amen.
In this beautiful letter, Paul attempts to intercede on behalf of a slave, one of the lowest of society, with the intent of saving his life. This serves as a powerful illustration of Jesus' intercession for all of mankind and His offer of eternal salvation. Paul notes that perhaps it was all part of God's plan that Onesimus run away from Philemon, because in doing so he met Paul and became a believer and was saved. It is indeed God's great plan that through Jesus all mankind might be saved. In today's focus verses, Paul pleads with Philemon as a partner, a fellow worker for Christ. He even offers to repay Philemon for anything this whole incident cost him. Philemon can put anything he is owed on Paul's account and he will cover it. This is what Jesus did for us. He took all our sins, all our offenses against God, and put them onto His account and covered the debt with His blood.
When we believe, we accept Jesus as our Lord and Master. We willingly become His possessions, bought and paid for by His sacrifice. We are His and He is ours. We can never flee His love. Amen.
Dear Lord, help us please to not fail to see other believers as our brothers and sisters, to not treat them any differently no matter what their current station in life might be. Please help us to see them through Your eyes, created in Your own divine image. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being our good and faithful Master. We pray in Your name, gracious Jesus. Amen.
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