Letters from Prison - Philemon 1:1-25
As we draw this second letter from prison to a close, there are two outstanding questions that remain for our consideration:
First, will Philemon forgive Onesimus, his runaway slave?
Second, whatever happened to Onesimus after returning home?
Will Philemon Forgive? Will You?
Matthew Henry cited 14 arguments, that Paul used in verses 8 through 21, to convince Philemon to receive and forgive Onesimus:
Philemon's love for all the saints (v. 8);
Paul's authority (v. 8);
The basis of Paul's appeal being love, rather than authority (v. 9); Paul's age and his condition as a prisoner (v. 9);
Paul's spiritual relationship to Onesimus (v. 10);
Philemon's own interest (v. 11);
Paul's love for Onesimus (v. 12);
Paul's self-denial in parting with Onesimus (vv. 13-14);
The assurance that Onesimus would not run away again (v. 15);
Onesimus' relationship to Philemon as his spiritual brother (v. 16);
Onesimus' identification with Paul (v. 17);
Paul's promise to pay Onesimus' debt to Philemon (vv. 18-19);
The joy that Paul would receive by Philemon's acquiescence (v. 20);
Paul's good opinion of Philemon (v. 21).
If I could give you 14 reasons to forgive someone, would you do it?
How about if I just gave you one? The primary reason to forgive: Jesus.
