Page 7 - Good News May 2014 paper

Greeting one as Paul, the aged, and now also hand. I will repay - not to mention damaging or stealing his master's
PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, a prisoner of Jesus Christ - I to you that you owe me even your property (vv. 11, 18). In Rome,
and Timothy our brother, to appeal to you for my son Onesi- own self besides. Yes, brother, let Onesimus came in contact with the
Philemon our beloved friend and mus, whom I have begotten while me have joy from you in the Lord; imprisoned Paul, who led him to
fellow labourer, to the beloved in my chains, who once was refresh my heart in the Lord. Christ (v. 10).
Apphia, Archippus our fellow unprofitable to you, but now is Having confidence in your obe- Paul eventually wrote to the
soldier, and to the church in your profitable to you and to me. I am dience, I write to you, knowing church in Colosse and evidently
house: Grace to you and peace sending him back. You therefore that you will do even more than I included this letter on Onesimus's
from God our Father and the Lord receive him, that is, my own heart, say. But, meanwhile, also prepare behalf. Tychicus and Onesimus
Jesus Christ. whom I wished to keep with me, a guest room for me, for I trust that apparently delivered both letters.
that on your behalf he might through your prayers I shall be See Colossians 4:7-9; Philemon 12.
Philemon's Love and Faith minister to me in my chains for the granted to you. The close relationship between
I thank my God, making mention gospel. But without your consent I Paul and Philemon is evidenced by
of you always in my prayers, wanted to do nothing, that your Farewell their mutual prayers (vv. 4, 22)
hearing of your love and faith good deed might not be by Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in and an “open door” hospitality (v.
which you have toward the Lord compulsion, as it were, but Christ Jesus, greets you, as do 22). Love, trust, and respect
Jesus and toward all the saints, voluntary. For perhaps he depar- Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, characterized their friendship (vv.
that the sharing of your faith may ted for a while for this purpose, my fellow labourers. The grace of 1, 14, 21).
become effective by the acknow- that you might receive him forever, our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Slavery was an accepted economic
ledgment of every good thing no longer as a slave but more than spirit. Amen. and social reality in the Roman
which is in you in Christ Jesus. For a slave - a beloved brother, world. A slave was his master's
we have great joy and consolation especially to me but how much BACKGROUND property, without rights. Under
in your love, because the hearts of more to you, both in the flesh and This letter is Paul's personal Roman law, runaway slaves could
the saints have been refreshed by in the Lord. appeal to Philemon, a wealthy be severely punished and even
you, brother. Christian slave-owner. It appears condemned to death. Slave
Philemon's Obedience Encouraged that Philemon had been converted uprisings in the first century
The Plea for Onesimus If then you count me as a partner, under Paul's ministry (v. 19), that resulted in fearful and suspicious
Therefore, though I might be very receive him as you would me. But if he resided in Colosse, and that the owners. While the early Christian
bold in Christ to command you he has wronged you or owes any- Colossian church met in his house church did not directly attack the
what is fitting, yet for love's sake I thing, put that on my account. I, (v. 2). Onesimus, one of his slaves, institution of slavery, it recorded
rather appeal to you - being such a Paul, am writing with my own had fled to Rome, apparently after Continued on p. 8
Continued on p. 8