Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
A very different Onesimus is returning from the one who ran away, and Paul appeals to {hilemon to treat this slave as a brother in Christ - as if he were the apostle himself!
Philemon is under considerable pressure to do as he asks: Paul points out in verse 8 that he could have dictated where his duty lay, but he prefers to make a request on the basis of love. His description of himself as an old man, a prisoner, tugs at the heartstrings. He is, in effect, asking Philemon to give Onesimus his freedom and send him back, in part for services Paul rendered to Philemon. Paul rendered to Philemon. Paul uses the conventions of the day: a gift given requires a gift in return. Hence his appeal: Philemon owned his Christin life to Paul. There is added pressure from the fact that this letter is to be read to the church in his house. But Paul is confident Philmon will comply and 'set his mind at rest'. Everything is couched in terms of praise and encouragement.
This letter provides the clearest evidence of how Paul would deal e=with slavery within the community of Christ. It is not acceptable - and he intends the Christian community to be an example of what the world should be like. Although Paul does not specifically address slavery as an institution, his requirement lays a depth charge beneath it.
Why?
Treat others with love no matter who he is, Christian do everything with love and joy.
-------------
1. 8-9 憑著愛心來請求：保羅絕對是有權柄的，反而以愛心來請求。完全符合神的做法。神不是用權柄，而用愛，使撒旦無語可說。我們希望自己有權柄，遇見有權柄的人卻想反對有權柄的人。
2.10-17 請求的理由：綑鎖中得救的使徒。如今與你我都有益處。以前沒有益處。如今不是掛名的基督徒。3.是我心上的人： 有深厚情誼 4.基於公義的原則，不善自做決定。5.按照非利門的好處。得到一個屬靈的家人。屬靈的原則，都是先放才得到。願意先放手，可以永遠得著。
3. 18-19 請求的代價：願意賠償非利門的損失。非利門也欠保羅的教導，不要以為都是別人虧欠於我，我們也虧欠人。我們要彼此相愛。彼此虧欠
4.20-21 也就是這次算幫我的忙。相信你所做的超過我所請求的。
保羅看每個人像家人，超越資歷、超越身分, 超越年紀。在愛中，沒有誰對不起誰，只有互為虧欠。
-------------
How?
Respect everyone with love and joy and righteousness. God is good!
No comments:
Post a Comment