Philemon (7)

Pray Psalm 113.4-6.
The LORD is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

Review Philemon.

Prepare.
1. How would you describe the relationship between Paul and Philemon?

2. How would you explain the relationship between love and obedience to a new believer?

Meditate.
Power comes in small packages sometimes, as we have seen in this postcard from Rome. Paul’s instructions to Philemon are designed to refresh the souls of everyone involved in this matter. That seems to have been Philemon’s specialty (vv. 7, 20), and Paul played to it on behalf of the runaway-slave-turned-brother-in-Christ, Onesimus.

Paul was confident Philemon would do what was right, and he looked forward to being reunited with him and Onesimus in the near future. Paul’s action was a blow to the practice of slavery, though it would take centuries for Christians to implement what this brief letter pointed to in the erasure of slavery among believers, and as far as their influence could extend.

It takes grace to make things right. Like Paul’s other epistles, this one to Philemon is book-ended with grace (vv. 3, 25). This is not just filler or pro forma epistolary etiquette. This is Paul acknowledging the greatness of grace, the need of grace, and the certainty that grace is available for all times of needing to do what is right before the Lord.

Even for the challenges you and I face today.

Reflect.
1. What does this little book reveal about Paul’s attitude toward slavery?

2. Why must love – for God and others – come before obedience for obedience to be full? How can we make sure we have the love (grace) we will need when opportunities arise?

3. What is your most important takeaway from the book of Philemon?

If the question is asked—“How can we have the same faith in Christ Jesus and toward all the saints?”—the answer is that you have love in Christ Jesus and toward the saints, and you have the same faith in Christ Jesus and toward the saints by a shared property.… It is because the same holiness is shared by the Lord and by his servants, as Old Testament usage shows. Jerome (347-420), Commentary on Philemon

Thank You, Lord, that I am no longer a slave to sin, but a bondservant of Christ! Help me to fulfill my service today as I…

Pray Psalm 113.
Thank God for bridging the great gap that divides us, and for doing so much to lift, bless, and empower us to serve Him. Commit your day to the Lord.

Sing Psalm 113.1-9.
Psalm 113.1-9 (Armageddon: Who Is On the Lord’s Side?)
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!
From the time each morning when the sun is raised,
to its evening waning, let His Name be praised!
Refrain vv. 1, 2
Praise the Lord, O praise Him, all who know His Name!
From this day forever, magnify His fame!

High above the nations, on Your glorious throne,
who is like You, Savior, ruling all You own?
Sovereign and all-knowing, over all above,
praise to You is owing for Your perfect love!
Refrain

Though You rule from heaven, looking down on earth,
praise and thanks be given to Your holy worth!
Down You reach to touch us, clad in ash and dust,
raising us with such as in Your favor trust.
Refrain

Seated now with princes round Your glorious throne,
we by grace are lifted to become Your own.
Barren women, joyous, glad their children bear;
joining in the chorus, they Your praise declare.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).