Philemon 1:17
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
Tag: Brotherly Love Defined
The story of this book called Philemon is easy to understand and, yet, impossible, at times, to practice. Paul is in prison and a run-away slave is caught and imprisoned with him. His name is Onesimus. After being chained up with Paul, Onesimus comes to know Christ. That is when Paul finds out the Onesimus was a run-away slave of one of Paul's brothers in Christ - Philemon. Philemon was a great man in the faith. We see how he has a church in his house, has shared much with the saints and was a personal encouragement to Paul, himself. Now Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon. Under the law Philemon could do ANYTHING he wanted to with Onesimus. Yet, Paul appeals to Philemon's Christian position and his reputation and asks him to receive Onesimus. But, he doesn't ask him to receive him back as a disobedient slave. He doesn't ask him to receive him back as just a slave - afforded Onesimus his original position in Philemon's household. Paul ask Philemon to receive him back AS Philemon would receive Paul, himself. Onesimus, by the power of Christ, was translated from a rebellious slave to a Christian brother. If Paul showed up at Philemons house there is no doubt that their would be rejoicing and the fatted calf would be killed for a feast. Paul wants the same for Onesimus. Like the prodigal son, Onesimus was returning home and Paul wants Philemon to practice the greatest of Christian love. "Receive him as you would receive me," is Paul's mantra. In the Christian world this is how brotherly love is defined. We receive all as we receive each! However, we receive a "Paul" we receive an "Onisimus." That is brotherly love. In God's Kingdom there is NO distinction between a Paul and an Onesimus.
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