One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Philemon 1:19, “I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.” Paul guarantees the payment of debt with his own hand. When we make promises, may we similarly follow-through like Paul.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:18, “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” Paul takes on Onesimus’s debts and transfers to him some of his own honor. This reflects Christ’s work of taking on our debt and shame at the cross and transferring righteousness and honor to us. May we learn to do the same to others so that Christ might be glorified more and more.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:17, “So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.” Paul would have been received with honor and respect. He wants that same thing from Philemon toward Onesimus. May our transformed Christian communities be characterized by honoring others, especially the marginalized.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:16, “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” Paul speculates that Philemon and Onesimus were separated so that he might receive Onesimus back as a brother. May we have hearts that treat one another with the same dignity, respect, and love.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:15, “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever.” Paul speculates as to the divine purpose behind this whole situation. May we have a big view of God’s work in the world, and may we point to it when we are uncertain in life or when we want to persuade others to do what is right.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:14, “but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.”

This episode looks at Philemon 1:13, “I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel.” Paul credits Philemon for what he left undone by pointing to what Onesimus has done. God does the same for us in Christ, and we thank him for it.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:12, “I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.” Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wants Philemon to understand how deeply he loves Onesimus. May it be true of us in the same way that the well-being of other family members in the faith would be deeply attached to our well-being.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:11, “(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)” Paul uses a play on words with Philemon’s name to show how the traditional way to look at a slave/bondservant (undignified, useless, inferior) was incorrect and should be abolished. May we look at no fellow human beings as inferior or deficient in any way, and may our societies be transformed in the same way.

This episode looks at Philemon 1:10, “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.” Paul describes Onesimus with biological terms as a son—not just as a spiritual son, but as a biological son. May our Christian communities unite in this same way.