Sorry I'm so late today, ladies! What a day -- what a week!
1.a. Paul asks his brother, Philemon, to receive back a runaway slave, Onesimus, who is now also a brother.
b. Verse 10 or verse 16. 10, because Onesimus means “useful” or 16, because it reveals Onesimus’ new position in the Lord.
2. a. For Philemon, this was a personal letter addressed directly to him. It had a single important purpose: a request from Paul that he receive his runaway slave back, forgive him and treat him like a brother.
Paul uses very clear language in this letter. Philemon could not be confused or unsure what Paul was asking. Reading through it once, you might think that Paul is laying on a double layer of guilt to push Philemon into agreeing to his request, but on the next reading, it’s hard to miss the fact that Paul is offering Philemon something too – the opportunity to show God’s grace himself, which would have been taken away from him if Paul had simply commanded his obedience. It sounds like they were on good terms so I doubt Philemon missed any of those subtleties.
The secondary recipients of the letter might have followed Philemon’s lead in his acceptance or rejection of Onesimus on return, but it could be that Paul included them to gain their support in treating Onesimus like a brother.
b. Its organization is short and sweet, especially considering this is Paul! :) There is a greeting, praise for Philemon, a plea paragraph, a thank-you-ahead-of-time paragraph and a farewell.
c. LOVE/heart, chains, joy: Paul recalls the love they all have for the Lord, and appeals to their hearts on behalf of Onesimus, whom he calls “my very heart.”
He refers to his imprisonment four times (I have to smile – that had to be hard for Philemon to resist!), but also speaks of the joy he feels, knowing about their love for God.
d. It’s written first person (personal) and is a letter (personal) addressed to an individual (extremely personal). It makes it impossible as a reader to not put yourself in Philemon’s shoes.
2 comments:
Sorry I'm so late today, ladies! What a day -- what a week!
1.a. Paul asks his brother, Philemon, to receive back a runaway slave, Onesimus, who is now also a brother.
b. Verse 10 or verse 16. 10, because Onesimus means “useful” or 16, because it reveals Onesimus’ new position in the Lord.
2. a. For Philemon, this was a personal letter addressed directly to him. It had a single important purpose: a request from Paul that he receive his runaway slave back, forgive him and treat him like a brother.
Paul uses very clear language in this letter. Philemon could not be confused or unsure what Paul was asking. Reading through it once, you might think that Paul is laying on a double layer of guilt to push Philemon into agreeing to his request, but on the next reading, it’s hard to miss the fact that Paul is offering Philemon something too – the opportunity to show God’s grace himself, which would have been taken away from him if Paul had simply commanded his obedience. It sounds like they were on good terms so I doubt Philemon missed any of those subtleties.
The secondary recipients of the letter might have followed Philemon’s lead in his acceptance or rejection of Onesimus on return, but it could be that Paul included them to gain their support in treating Onesimus like a brother.
b. Its organization is short and sweet, especially considering this is Paul! :) There is a greeting, praise for Philemon, a plea paragraph, a thank-you-ahead-of-time paragraph and a farewell.
c. LOVE/heart, chains, joy: Paul recalls the love they all have for the Lord, and appeals to their hearts on behalf of Onesimus, whom he calls “my very heart.”
He refers to his imprisonment four times (I have to smile – that had to be hard for Philemon to resist!), but also speaks of the joy he feels, knowing about their love for God.
d. It’s written first person (personal) and is a letter (personal) addressed to an individual (extremely personal). It makes it impossible as a reader to not put yourself in Philemon’s shoes.
Great answers, Jennifer! Thanks.
Post a Comment