WITH OPEN ARMS

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO

PHILEMON

          Welcome back to Daily Bread. So happy for you to join in for the study of this very short letter from Paul to Philemon. Let’s read through the letter, then at the end of it, we’ll do some investigating.

          Looking back to Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, he mentions both Onesimus and Archippus, so you can guess that Paul probably knew these people from his third journey, when he traveled through Asia to Ephesus. Also, a little Daily Bread Crumb. This is sort of a reminder crumb from an Old Testament study. The word "family" wasn’t used very frequently back in Biblical times, but instead, they used the word house. Now when they referred to a house, many times that included more than one family, and in addition, servants, and any strangers (foreigners) who may be staying with someone. It was common for several families (even many) of the same tribe to live in the same vicinity, and have a leader, who would be the chief of that house, and the house would be named after the leader. So, the church in Philemon’s house could include many people. This also indicates that Philemon was a prominent figure in his city. After Paul’s greeting, he says,

          Here’s an interesting little thing. In some Bible versions, at the end of the book of Philemon, there’s a note that says: *Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus, a servant. Now, Paul said in the letter that he had written it with his own hand, which may mean that it was his own words spoken, while Onesimus actually wrote it. Another thing to ponder is that Paul says, I’ve sent him back to you, so you get the impression that Onesimus shows up on Philemon’s doorstep with Paul’s letter in hand. That was probably an interesting meeting, before the letter was opened.

          Okay, let’s boil this letter down. Paul is in prison with Onesimus, who is Philemon’s runaway slave, but from the things Paul wrote, we can deduce that Paul has grown to love him as his own son. So, in his diplomatic manner, Paul drops Philemon a line. In it he says, Look, I should just boldly demand in the name of Christ that you do the right thing, but in my many years, and now in prison, I’ve learned that man must choose the things he does willingly, not because he has to. So, I’m asking you, in the name of love, to give this fellow a second chance. Maybe the reason he left, was so you would accept him back forever, as a brother, not just a slave. (If he hadn’t left, he wouldn’t have found the Lord.) Take him back with the same gentleness that you would me. If he stole anything from you, I’ll pay you back out of my own pocket, (I won’t mention what you owe me . . .  which your life.) Make me proud of you and do good to my heart. I know you’ll do that, and more! By the way, I’m coming to stay at your place when they let me out of here because through your prayers, I believe I’ll be released to you. 

          Now, just because man must choose willingly when he has a decision to make, doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with putting truth in front of that man to help assist him in his choice, and Paul took advantage of that in a very tactful way. Ask yourself these questions: If you were Philemon, wouldn’t Paul’s letter encourage you to make the right choice? Might you have chosen differently if you hadn’t received Paul’s letter? Would you be glad in the end, that Paul helped you to see the TRUTH, even though you may have wanted something differently at the start?

          Maybe you know a runaway, who needs your letter (prayers) to get back to their Master. Maybe you’re the runaway. Maybe you have a choice of a different kind to make. Friend, you have choices to make every day. Every one of us has been a deserter, a thief and worthless at one time or another in our lives, but our Master, who waits with open arms to receive us back again, is He who can guide you in making the right choices.

          That was an interesting study, and there’s much more ahead, so come on back soon, and we’ll discover more truth together, right here at Daily Bread.