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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…
11 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, 11 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