Preamble to Appeal. Philemon 8-11.
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, Yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you – I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus -I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me).
Dear Holy Nation,
Paul now comes to the main theme of his letter. The matter is of a delicate nature, involving an escaped slave, whom Paul is sending back to the master, Philemon, and which escaped slave was most likely the bearer of this letter.
Authority (v. 8). Paul has the right and authority to order Philemon to do his bidding. Both men know this but Paul states it as a way of introducing an
Alternative (v. 9). Paul elects to appeal to Philemon instead, on the basis of love. This love is a bond that is stronger between Paul and Philemon than the apostolic authority that Paul could wield. While some of us have the right to exercise authority over others, it is preferable to apply love.
Appeal (vv. 10-11).In his appeal, Paul calls Onesimus his child. He had probably encountered Onesimus in Rome and shared the gospel with him, Onesimus thus becoming Paul’s spiritual son. This simple commitment to the Lord Jesus had transformed Onesimus from the useless slave he was before – it is possible that Paul had seen him earlier in Philemon’s house and observed his failings, or it could be simply the fact that having run away, Onesimus was of no use to his abandoned master – to an asset to both Philemon and Paul. While this is yet to be proved by Philemon in practice, Paul’s own experience serves as a testimony that can be extrapolated.
One of the things that the gospel transforms in those who believe is our relative state of uselessness to those we work with and for, or to those that work for us. If there is no change at all, then our encounter with Christ is questionable.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.