07/04/2021
Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 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—
In the context of this verse, Paul was coming to Philemon in reference to Onesimus. Onesimus was a newly converted Christian and Paul was interceding on his behalf to Philemon, not in the command of apostolic authority but in the love of Christianity. Onesimus was Philemon's slave.
It was not uncommon in the time for slaves to be a part of the community. It wasn't slave, in the modern sense, but more so as a bondservant. People could sell themselves into the trade for a debt or even in order to just be under a kind master. It could range from many different things, but in this instance, Onesimus was under Philemon.
It is interesting to note how Paul is coming to Philemon as a request out of Christian love instead of out of authority. Jesus did something very similar. He, of course, gave us commands but the basis of everything in the Christian faith is love. We are not under the law, as Paul explains many, many times over but we are to do things for the good of others out of Christ-like love. Paul exemplifies this ideology in how he comes to Philemon.
Can you think of instances where you could do the same? Maybe even as a parent toward your children? An employee that works under you? Charge your interaction with Christian love instead of authority.
