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The Heart of the Matter: Fearless Love from True Faith: Philemon 1–25
When Philemon walks away from Paul’s letter, what kind of response does Paul want to see — mere compliance or a heart full of faith in God’s promises?
1 month ago
Fellow Workers Full of Grace for Philemon: Philemon 23–25, Part 2
What do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke have to do with Philemon and his runaway slave? Paul shows Philemon what gospel-shaped friendships look li…
1 month, 1 week ago
Epaphras: Founder, Pastor, Prisoner, Greeter: Philemon 23–25, Part 1
Alongside all the other ways Paul encourages Philemon to love, he also adds greetings from Epaphras, a man Philemon would have deeply respected.
1 month, 1 week ago
Paul’s Paradoxical Way of Being Refreshed: Philemon 18–22
In seeking a welcome for the runaway slave, Onesimus, Paul banks on his history with Philemon, and risks his own resources, modeling radical Christia…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
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…
1 month, 2 weeks 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.
1 month, 3 weeks 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 month, 3 weeks 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 month, 4 weeks 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 months 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 months ago