Examining Of The Book Of Philemon Religion Essay

-The book of Philemon is about a personal entreaty to a comfortable Christian slave proprietor to have his slave back as a brother in Christ.

The first clear illustration of bondage is in Exodus 1:13 where the Israelites were made to work ruthlessly as slaves and their call for deliverance came up to God in Exodus 2:23-24. The sort of bondage the Israelites were subjected to in Egypt was clearly unacceptable to God, judging by their deliverance and the ordinances sing bondage in the Mosaic Law. Meager ( 2006 )

The Mosaic Law was really clear on bondage. An Israelite could non enslave another Israelite. Besides anyone who became a slave by doing a treaty or come ining into an agreement with another Israelite was to be treated without abrasiveness and freed in the twelvemonth of Jubilee. However, a alien may be held as a lasting, non-Israelite slave and may be treated harshly. ( Leviticus 25:25-55 )

Philemon was written during one of Paul ‘s imprisonments around A.D. 60-61 during a clip when bondage was acceptable from a fiscal and community point of view in the Roman universe. Slaves were seen as their maestro ‘s belongings and they had no rights. However, the experience of slaves varied depending on their maestro and the work assigned to them. Some slaves were made to work difficult and could be disciplined ruthlessly for minor errors, while others placed in big Villas could hold small work to make and were good looked after. Meager ( 2006 )

The Bible does non reprobate bondage, nor did Paul. The Christian church merely views the relationship between maestro and break one’s back in a different visible radiation. They saw them as both equal before God and both accountable for their behaviour. The maestro was no longer over the slave but in a topographic point of equality within the church. God sees us without position and His grace transforms us into a worthy person in society. This does non intend a slave was to travel free either, but to honour Christ in the service that he was making for his maestro.

Paul addresses Philemon as a friend and one who does the work of Christ. Paul lifts up Philemon about the work he has been making with the church. He takes a bold attack because he knows Philemon ‘s character. Paul asks for Philemon to have Onesimus back as he would Paul into his place. He asks this of Philemon based on Paul ‘s love for Onesimus and Philemon ‘s love for Paul. Love is the motive. Paul has taken on the function of male parent, merely as God desires to take on that same father-child relationship with us.

The position of the slave as a Christian based on the information so far gives us an individuality crisis to a certain extent. Who are we once we accept Jesus into our lives? Are we still a “ slave ” ? The word “ slaves ” is the rendition of a Grecian word significance “ organic structures ” . The Hebrew and Greek words for slave are normally rendered merely “ servant ” , “ bondsman ” , and “ bondservant ” . ( Dictionary.com )

If we point out a relationship between “ break one’s back ” and “ servant ” we can state that we are the first of those in the flesh and the other in Christ. The slave is the old position and the retainer is the new topographic point within the organic structure of Christ. Philemon has already experienced this transmutation due to Paul ‘s taking him into redemption. The fact that Paul besides led Onesimus to this topographic point is why he can come to Philemon in this mode.

It is Paul ‘s desire for there to be rapprochement between Philemon and Onesimus ; the slave proprietor and the slave. Paul is assured that through this missive he will be able to convert Philemon to make what is right. He believes that Philemon ‘s religion and love in Christ will assist him re-establish a new found relationship with Onesimus. This is where the individuality crisis for the slave proprietor comes in. How does he handle others, or the slave, in order to be effectual in his religion? God has done so much for Philemon to convey him to topographic point of position within the church. Because Philemon has shared the Gospel with others he has been effectual in his ministry.

Now that Paul has converted Onesimus he desires to maintain the relationship with him. But he wants Philemon ‘s consent to use this new brother in Christ for the ministry. Onesimus became profitable to Paul at the clip of his transition ; populating up to the significance of his name. Paul entreaties to Philemon based on the service he himself has done within the ministry. Paul does non coerce the title, but is hopeful that he will hold to the service of his

ain will. To genuinely be a follower of Jesus you are to be low ; offering yourself in the spirit of entry, swearing and docile ; willing to larn. In Luke 22:25-27 Jesus portions with His adherents that the greatest is the retainer of all. Service is to be done without anticipating wages.

There seems to be a calculated outside influence in the slave ‘s going from Rome. God used the state of affairs for His intent. Onesimus ‘ incorrect making towards Philemon lead him to Paul and his redemption. The slave is forgiven and brought into the household of Christ. We all fall short in our day-to-day lives and it is our “ wickedness ” that brings us to a topographic point with Christ that allows us to be saved.

Paul lays a foundation for the riddance of bondage. He is inquiring Philemon to have Onesimus back, non as a slave but as a darling brother. If a slave proprietor and break one’s back come together as brothers in Christ so their relationship would be a true transmutation. Paul promises damages towards Philemon. Anything that Onesimus might hold stolen from Philemon will be given back to him. He suggests to Philemon to bear down the debt “ to my history ” . Paul will pay the monetary value for his “ kid ” . God gave His boy, a adult male without wickedness, to pay the monetary value. When we become a Christian Jesus takes on that debt. We charge everything to His history. His decease and Resurrection are how He showed us that He loved us. The ultimate monetary value was paid for our freedom.

This missive is a presentation of the power of Christ to convey mending to those that are broken. It is besides a personal reunion between Philemon and Onesimus arranged by Paul. Comparable to their reunion is that of Christ and the runaway evildoer. It portrays a Restoration of two followings who were before separated. It is merely with Christ ‘s illustration of forgiveness that we are able to get the better of errors and be reconciled to our brothers and sisters.

Paul ‘s character is that of love, wisdom, gradualness, and above all Christian and human adulthood. Guzik ( 2007 ) He starts his supplication to Philemon by holding a missive delivered by Onesimus himself. And in that missive he asks Philemon to alter his bosom towards the adult male who was one time a slave and is now a brother in Christ. Philemon reads this papers from Paul as the blowout slave bases in his presence. Paul indicates his assurance in poetry 21 that Philemon will non merely obey but travel beyond simple obeisance.