Today’s Word
The Annual Review
who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. Philemon 1:11 NASB Useless – This is an odd thing to say. After all, we’re speaking about a slave. What does a slave do? Whatever the master commands. A slave is useful precisely because a slave does what’s required. …
Turning on the Tears
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Philemon 1:10 NASB Child – But, of course, Onesimus is not a child. Most commentators assume that Paul uses the Greek téknon to describe Onesimus’ “conversion” birth under Paul’s tutelage. Perhaps that’s why Paul doesn’t use the usual país (boy or girl…
You’re Like Me
yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus Philemon 1:9 NASB Appeal – You know this Greek word. You just don’t know it in this context. The word is parakaléō, usually associated with the Christian idea of the Holy Spirit. What it really…
The Set-Up
For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 1:7 NASB 1995 Refreshed – Paul has an agenda. It’s obvious and simple. He wants Philemon to accept Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother in the Messiah. Like…
Let’s Go Together
and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. Philemon 1:6 NASB Fellowship of your faith – What is “fellowship of your faith”? It’s an odd expression, don’t you think? Oh, perhaps you never questioned this phrase. Perhaps you thought,…
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