Philemon 1-21 (NRSV)
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Chapter 1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, Verse 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Verse 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 4When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God Verse 5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. Verse 6I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. Verse 7I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
Verse 8For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, Verse 9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Verse 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Verse 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. Verse 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. Verse 13I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; Verse 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Verse 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, Verse 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. Verse 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. Verse 18If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. Verse 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Verse 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Verse 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Devotion
Foundations are essential for buildings and for lives. Sometimes old foundations will not do in the face of new realities and needs. Sometimes foundations have to be redesigned to support a new structure. After the runaway slave Onesimus showed up at Paul’s prison cell and was sent back to Philemon as a newly-born “brother in Christ,” foundations had to be reset to support new relationships and new ways of being. Elsewhere, Paul put it this way: “In Christ there is a new creation.”
It may be unsettling when it is not always clear what that “new creation” will look like. At such times we need to be flexible and especially attentive to the signs of God’s working among us. Often through others – a Paul or a sister or brother in Christ – our imagination and our actions may be opened up to the new things God has in store for us.
Prayer
Creator God, you promise that in Christ Jesus there is a new creation. Help me to trust in your faithfulness, especially when the old foundations seem to be breaking apart. Then help me to see even in the new structures the sure and certain signs of your love. Amen.