Do What Is Right
Mercy Has the Power to Turn a Slave Into a Brother
SCRIPTURE:
Philemon 1:8 CSB - For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,
OBSERVATION:
The letter to Philemon is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we choose to do what is right in our relationships—even when we’ve been wronged.
Paul begins his letter by affirming Philemon’s character:
Philemon 1:5 CSB - I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.
Philemon was known for his faith, expressed through love for the church.
Philemon 1:7 CSB - For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
He was a source of refreshment and encouragement to others. Paul calls him brother—a word full of affection and spiritual connection.
Then Paul makes his appeal:
Philemon 1:8 CSB - For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,
What was happening? Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, had encountered Paul in prison and come to faith in Christ. Now, Paul is sending him back—not just as a servant, but as a brother in Christ.
Philemon 1:11-12 CSB - Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you -- I am sending my very own heart.
Philemon 1:8 CSB - For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,
OBSERVATION:
The letter to Philemon is a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we choose to do what is right in our relationships—even when we’ve been wronged.
Paul begins his letter by affirming Philemon’s character:
Philemon 1:5 CSB - I hear of your love for all the saints and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus.
Philemon was known for his faith, expressed through love for the church.
Philemon 1:7 CSB - For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
He was a source of refreshment and encouragement to others. Paul calls him brother—a word full of affection and spiritual connection.
Then Paul makes his appeal:
Philemon 1:8 CSB - For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right,
What was happening? Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, had encountered Paul in prison and come to faith in Christ. Now, Paul is sending him back—not just as a servant, but as a brother in Christ.
Philemon 1:11-12 CSB - Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you -- I am sending my very own heart.
It is significant to note that Paul claims that in Christ the useless person has been made useful. – William Barclay
Should this not be our heart? Paul said he was sending his very own heart. – It was with the same mindset.
That’s the gospel in action.
APPLICATION:
That’s the gospel in action.
APPLICATION:
Considering the huge number of slaves in the Roman Empire, they thought the harsh punishment against escaped or rebellious slaves was necessary. In an Empire with as many as 60 million slaves, there were constant fears of a slave revolt. Therefore, laws against runaways were strict. When captured, a runaway slave might be crucified, or branded with a red-hot iron on the forehead with the letter “F” for fugitive.
Considering this, we understand Paul’s phrase that is, my own heart. “Philemon, I know this man has done you wrong and deserves to be punished. But consider him as my own heart and be merciful to him. – David Guzik
Considering this, we understand Paul’s phrase that is, my own heart. “Philemon, I know this man has done you wrong and deserves to be punished. But consider him as my own heart and be merciful to him. – David Guzik
Paul goes even further, suggesting this may be the very reason all of this happened: to show mercy and continue practicing the love he was known for, not just to the believers, but also to those who have wronged you.
Philemon 1:12, 15-16 CSB - I am sending him back to you -- I am sending my very own heart. ...For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave -- as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
What a radical change—from slave to brother, from useless to useful!
Are we willing to show mercy and practice love so that we may see one who was useless as useful – to gain a brother who was a salve to sin and self? It will take humility, grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 18:15 CSB - "If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
Proverbs 18:19 CSB - An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
It's going to take work – but the end result will be
Proverbs 18:24 CSB - One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Do the right thing, put your love into practice, show mercy, and you will gain a brother closer than a friend.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to put love into action. Help me to show mercy where it's needed. Give me eyes to see that those once useless can be made useful by Your grace. Give me Your heart, that I may not see with offense or superiority, but with humility and love—so that I, too, might gain a brother.
Philemon 1:12, 15-16 CSB - I am sending him back to you -- I am sending my very own heart. ...For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave -- as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
What a radical change—from slave to brother, from useless to useful!
Are we willing to show mercy and practice love so that we may see one who was useless as useful – to gain a brother who was a salve to sin and self? It will take humility, grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 18:15 CSB - "If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
Proverbs 18:19 CSB - An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
It's going to take work – but the end result will be
Proverbs 18:24 CSB - One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Do the right thing, put your love into practice, show mercy, and you will gain a brother closer than a friend.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me to put love into action. Help me to show mercy where it's needed. Give me eyes to see that those once useless can be made useful by Your grace. Give me Your heart, that I may not see with offense or superiority, but with humility and love—so that I, too, might gain a brother.
Doing what is right isn't always easy — but when we choose mercy over offense and love over retaliation, the gospel transforms broken relationships into something better than they were before.
Posted in 18 - Philemon
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