SUMMARY
PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More appeals to Philemon to recognize the transformation that occurs in relationships for those “in Christ”: enslaver and enslaved are transformed into brothers.
ANALYSIS
We never learn what the response of Philemon may have been to Paul’s appeal in this letter. However, it is clear what Paul imagines to be the possibility of the new relationship between Philemon and OnesimusSlave of Philemon for whom Paul appealed in his Letter to Philemon. More constituted by their partnership in faith in Christ JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More. Paul’s repeated language of comparison, of transformation, and of value added, invites Philemon to imagine the new possibilities of this new relationship in Christ. Paul basically tells Philemon, concerning Onesimus, “He was separated from you only for a moment; but now you get him back for eternity.” The verb in verse 15 that describes receiving Onesimus back is a technical term for a financial investment. Paul in effect says, “That’s a pretty good and surprising return on your investment. Further, he left as an enslaved member of your householdA household is a living unit comprised of all the persons who live in one house. A household would embrace all the members of a family, including servants and slaves. In the book of Acts, stories are told of various persons and their households, like... More, but now he comes back as your beloved brother. And what’s more, as merely someone enslaved, he was valuable only to you, but now as a brother he is valuable to me, and even more to you.” Paul expresses confidence in the transformative power of God’s graceGrace is the unmerited gift of God's love and acceptance. In Martin Luther's favorite expression from the Apostle Paul, we are saved by grace through faith, which means that God showers grace upon us even though we do not deserve it. More to change an economic relationship into a familial one.
