Embracing Onesimus as a Brother

It is a short one chapter, 25 verse letter , where Paul teaches and applies forgiveness and reconciliation with transformation and sacrifice . When we think about the word slavery , we may think about a physical person and his owner . However , even though this was the case in this letter , it actually was spiritual slavery that affected them even more .

The Apostle Paul reminds us through his writing that the church has always advanced through the work and dedication of everyday people like you and me . He does this through his writings as he is held captive in a Roman jail awaiting his fate .

It is this spiritual change from within that Paul teaches , proving God's desire to set us free , which , in the end , will release us from our own slavery of sin . End will release us from our own slavery of sin , and part of this release is experiencing God's love and forgiveness . If only we can find a way to forgive those who sin against us .

Remember , forgiveness has no boundaries , only earthly limitations . Therefore , it is up to us to turn our earthly thoughts over to divine inspirations , those that are desired by God .

I , Paul , am writing this letter . I am a prisoner , am writing this letter . I am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus . Our brother Timothy joins me in writing . Philemon , we are sending you this letter . You are our dear friend . You work together with us . We are also sending it to our sister , Epphea , and to Archippus .

He is a soldier of Christ , together with us , and we are sending it to the church that meets in your home . May God , our Father , and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace . I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers . That's because I hear about your love for all God's people . I also hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus .

I pray that what we share by believing will help you understand even more . Then you will completely understand every good thing we share by believing in Christ . Your love has given me great joy . It has encouraged me . My brother , you have renewed the hearts of the Lord's people . Because of the authority Christ has given me , I could be bold .

I could order you to do what you should do anyway , but we love each other and I would rather appeal to you on the basis of that love . I , Paul , am an old man . I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus . I am an old man and I'm in prison . This is how I make my appeal to you for my son , Onesimus .

He became a son to me while I was being held in chains . Before that he was useless to you , but now he has become useful to you and to me . But now he has become useful to you and to me . I'm sending Onesimus back to you . All my love for him goes with him .

I'm being held in chains because of the good news , so I would have liked to keep Onesimus with me and he could take your place in helping me , but I didn't want to do anything unless you agreed . Any favor you do must be done because you want to do it , not because you have to . Onesimus was separated from you for a little while . Maybe that was so .

You could have him back forever . You could have him back not as a slave . Instead , he would be better than a slave . He would be a dear brother . He is very dear to me , but even more dear to you . He is dear to you not only as another human being . He is also dear to you as a brother in the Lord .

Do you think of me as a brother who works together with you ? Then welcome Onesimus , as you would welcome me . Has he done anything wrong to you ? Does he owe you anything ? Then charge it to me , I'll pay it back . I , Paul , am writing this with my own hand .

I won't even mention that you owe me your life , my brother , we both belong to the Lord , so I wish I could receive some benefit from you . Renew my heart . We know that Christ is the one who really renews it . I'm sure you will obey , so I'm writing to you . We know that Christ is the one who really renews it .

I'm sure you will obey , so I'm writing to you . I know you will do even more than I ask . There's one more thing have a guest room ready for me . I hope I can return to all of you and answer to your prayers . Epaphras sends you greetings Together with me . He is a prisoner because of Christ Jesus . Mark , Aristarchus , Demas and Luke work together with me .

They also send you greetings . May the grace of the Lord , Jesus Christ , be with your spirit .