Philemon 1:7-20 ~ refresh my heart in Christ

Photo Compiled by Investigation Bureau of Germany. I'd think it would be the compilation of the numerous icons of St. Paul. Usually Paul looked more cheerful in the early Christian art.


Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior
Titus 1:1-3




Philemon 1:7-20

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7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, [Onesimus means useful or beneficial] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 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, 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. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave [bondservant] but more than a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

The Books of the Scriptures are not placed in date order in the Bible. When Paul wrote Philemon, with the Holy Spirit, there was more to be written: 1st & 2nd Timothy, Titus and Hebrews. There is so much we don't know of Paul. We don't know with certainty he completed his plan to travel to Spain. There are fragments of documents to guess Paul's plan was complete.

What we can know of Paul, the Holy Spirit has placed well within our hands, in the Scripture.

Paul is credited with affirmation of slavery. Really Paul was saying, to be content with our lives, knowing that in Jesus Christ, we live according to His Plan. When it is said Paul affirmed slavery, it sounds like we confuse St. Paul with Father John Newton, the British slave trader who converted to Christianity and wrote Amazing Grace.

Paul, again and again, is the living example of the Holy Spirit's words. Paul is in prison, yet he is speaking comfort, love, joy, freedom, free will, consent. Paul is sending Onesimus back into his slavery, to be freed. Paul doesn't charge Philemon to be a better slave owner, or bondservant master, he asks Onesimus be treated as a brother of the household. Paul's prison allows Paul to set others free - not just Onesimus from slavery - but today, us. We are to be set free from our fears, from our prejudices, from our circumstances. Not just to accept our "lot" in life, but to reach out with the compassion of God shown in Jesus Christ. To do all, in our own joy, to refresh the hearts of others, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The next time you hear Paul accepted slavery, remember what an imprisoned Paul actually did for a slave. Remember we have earned death, but like Paul gave, today, we have been given life!!!!

Refresh our hearts in the truth of Jesus Christ.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Chains of St. Paul, found in Rome in St. Paul's Basilica.
June 2009 - Pope Benedict announced excavation results in the tomb of Paul, at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The sarcophagus was not opened but examined by probe. It revealed pieces of incense and purple, blue linens and small bone fragments. The bone was radiocarbon dated to the 1st to 2nd century,confirming the tomb being Paul's.

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