DEC 14

Philemon
Memorise Philemon 10
“Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee...”

Of the four prison epistles, this is the only one written directly to an individual. Paul wrote to commend Philemon for his Christian compassion toward the need of fellow believers and especially to ask for forgiveness for Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who had stolen some of his master’s goods and fled to Rome (Philemon 18-19). In Rome, he came into contact with Paul who led him to the saving knowledge of Christ. Paul, however, knew that the slave had to be returned to his legal master (Philemon 13-14). Since Tychicus was to journey to Colosse to where Philemon lived, Paul decided to send Onesimus back to Philemon with his messenger Tychicus. The letter was composed to explain the situation to Philemon and to instruct him as to how a runaway slave, now a Christian, should be received. The main theme of Philemon is the theological concept of forgiveness and imputation. Human forgiveness should reflect divine forgiveness. Paul graciously beseeched Philemon on the basis of love to receive Onesimus the slave as if he was receiving Paul himself (Philemon 12, 15, 17). Paul also wrote, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account… I will repay thee” (Philemon 18-19). This is the language of imputation. Our debt as a sinner was paid for by Christ’s redemptive death. It is interesting to note that principles for the humane treatment of slaves are found in numerous passages in the Bible (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18-25). They were to be treated as people, not property. By bringing the gospel to him, Paul also showed that the gospel is for all and not only for the rich and those in the upper class of society. All may come to the Lord, including the poor and needy outcasts of society. God is also no respecter of men and the grace of God freely offers salvation to whosoever that shall call upon the name of the Lord.

Dear teen, has anyone betrayed and hurt you so much that you find it difficult to forgive that person? I am sure that Philemon had treated Onesimus well but yet he stole his money and ran away. Paul was confident that Philemon would forgive his slave (Philemon 21). In Matthew 6:14,15 the Lord emphatically stated this truth with the following words, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Thought: When you forgive, you set a prisoner free. The prisoner is you.
Prayer: Most merciful Father in heaven, teach me to always forgive those who have hurt me, remembering how Thou hast forgiven me freely.