Pastor Ralph Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 In the Christian life, obedience from the heart is what matters to the LORD, not obeying orders just because you were told to (think back to Lesson 5). Paul was identifying the problem between two brothers in Christ who had old issues from their unsaved past and he was outlining the godly response, but Philemon's answer had to be voluntary in order for true reconciliation to take place. Paul had to give the counsel he knew was right, but Philemon was ultimately responsible for his own choice in the matter. If Philemon didn't forgive Onesimus because of genuine love, both men would always know it wasn't real. All the inner problems would remain and neither man would be truly free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Paul could not command Philemon to take Onesimus because he wanted Philemon to have free will to forgive his runaway slave who had become a Christian and, even going beyond forgiveness, to accept Onesimus as a brother. As Christians, we should forgive as we have been forgiven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodR Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Real forgiveness cannot be forced. Paul gives many reasons for Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus as a brother, but ultimately it's up to him to make the choice. Forgiveness must come from the heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Paul DiMino Posted June 12, 2010 Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 Paul's words and actions are inspired by the Holy Spirit.The full meaning and purpose,including the meanings yet to be given to future readers, are quite beyond my understanding in their fullness,but,I believe the healing,and lessons for "master" and "slave",involve forgiveness,understanding,and cooperation,that could only become possible through their union in faith.Paul makes the distinction between what he "commands",as Paul,the mortal man,and apostle of Jesus Christ,and requests he makes to individuals as members of the body of Christ as he is inspired to do so in Love.Respect for personhood and character-building are involved,as well as a demonstration and witnessing of the power of the Spirit within both (to them,and us). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marloes Posted June 13, 2010 Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Paul urgently asks Philemon. He doesn't force him because it has to come out of his heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted June 13, 2010 Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denlee Posted June 13, 2010 Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iam4-1god Posted June 13, 2010 Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foofee's Nana Posted June 13, 2010 Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted June 13, 2010 Report Share Posted June 13, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? A purpose of the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbisu Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of Grace Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Paul didn't "command" anyone because everyone involved had to decide from their own hearts which way to follow. We can "order around and demand" all we want and may even get a few non-lasting results, but if a heart is not changed and there isn't love motivating what we do, it's not good and true. If motivations come through love....well.....then we just love to do them! Even most difficult things. Even when things are not fair for us or we are asked to submit in ways not natural to us. Or we may be ridiculed for doing things God's way against what is "acceptable" by the world's standard. In the end, if we live for Christ in His way, the rewards are great! I think Paul acted out of respect for each person individually here and yet at the same time, let each decide for their own selves what they would do. Great wisdom! That would encourage good character and lasting changes inward for each person allowing freedom for each individual all the while promoting Godly living as followers of Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrD Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Paul doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WALT39 Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Philemon 14 - But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Philemon came to Christ through Paul's ministry. Maybe Paul knew that Philemon would make the right decision as a Christian brother and therefore rather than demanding it, he let Philemon prove his Christian love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking His Face Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bower Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLD GARY Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janel Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2 Paul did not do that because he seeks Philemon's action out of his won free will and to allow Philemon's response to his own heart and conscious. As a leader of the church, Pilemon should seek the wisdom of God on how to act. At any eventuality, Philemon cannot blame Paul and also to build his moral character. As a leader of the church, Philemon should lead by example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him - or what? Although Onesimus is still owned by Philemon, his relationship to both Paul and Philemon has changed. He is now a fellow believer, and no longer just a slave. Keeping a slave could not have been done without the owners consent. I suppose Philemon would have agreed that Paul keep Onesimus if commanded to do so. This would have been out of apostolic respect. However, Paul did not do this out of Christian brotherly love. He rather asked Philemon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Paul wanted Philemon to pardon Onesimus out of his own will and not to be forced to do so as this will foster harmony and love between them. Paul took this approach out of maturity and due consideratio of the freedom Philemon had to decide what to do willingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATCH Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylverd Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda bass Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Paul doesn't come right out and command Philemon to take Onesimus back because he want Philemon to make the decision of his own free will, not because of any apostolic command. He wants Philemon's decision to take back his runaway slave to come from his heart,not because he was forced to do so. Paul does this out of respect for Philemon's personhood. He is asking Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a favor from one Christian brother to another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.