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Can We Always Know the Purposes of Providence? Philemon 15–17, Part 3
Reading God’s providence rightly takes great faith in the power and wisdom of God, and communicating it kindly takes great humility. Paul displays bo…
9 hours ago
How the New Testament Transformed Slavery: Philemon 15–17, Part 2
While the New Testament never explicitly abolishes slavery, it is full of teachings and commands that revolutionized the master-slave relationship.
4 days, 9 hours ago
Receive Onesimus No Longer as a Slave but as a Brother: Philemon 15–17, Part 1
Paul wanted Philemon to welcome Onesimus back — but did it matter how? Paul’s radical reasoning has big implications for Onesimus’s status as a slave.
1 week ago
How to Motivate Without Commanding: Philemon 8–14, Part 4
Although Paul refuses to command Philemon, he strengthens his appeal with seven personal reasons why his dear friend should receive Onesimus like a b…
1 week, 4 days ago
Does Commanding Ever Serve Love? Philemon 8–14, Part 3
Jesus commanded us to love one another, but Paul seems to imply that commanding diminishes love. So, which does love prefer — commands or appeals?
2 weeks ago
Why Does Not Commanding Serve Love? Philemon 8–14, Part 2
Paul knows what he wants Philemon to do, but he chooses not to command it. Why? He wants something deeper than rote obedience: genuine love.
2 weeks, 4 days ago
Faith Is the Freedom to Love: Philemon 8–14, Part 1
Paul could have commanded Philemon, with all the force of an apostle, to treat his runaway slave with love. So, why does Paul prefer to appeal to Phi…
3 weeks ago
The Ripple Effect of Christian Refreshment: Philemon 4–7, Part 2
How does Christian love touch and refresh all our relationships? Springing up from personal delight in Jesus, love overflows to do good to others for…
3 weeks, 4 days ago
The Saints Are Refreshed and Christ Is Glorified: Philemon 4–7, Part 1
Why does Paul think of Philemon as the sort of man who would welcome back a runaway slave? Because he has heard of Philemon’s refreshing faith.
4 weeks ago
Why Is It Right to Read a Personal Letter to Philemon? Philemon 1–3, Part 2
When Paul wrote to Philemon on a personal matter, he intended the entire church — including us — to receive grace and peace through his words.
1 month ago