Paul
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Paul wrote a letter to Philemon regarding Philemon's runaway slave Onesimus, whom Paul had converted while in prison. In the letter, Paul refers to Onesimus as his "child" that he had "begotten" while in chains, and asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother. Paul pleads his case by reference to his role as a spiritual father and authority over Onesimus, noting the transformation in Onesimus from being useless to being useful, and promising to repay any debts Onesimus owed.
Paul
- 1. Paul
- 2. The Conversion of Saul, fresco by Michelangelo, 15421545
- 3. Paul wrote this short letter to a private individual, Philemon, regarding a runaway slave named Onesimus whom Paul had converted while in prison. (Wayment, p 398) Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker also to Apphia (wife of Philemon) our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you a from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 5. The Mamertine Prison, Rome Italy For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of mob departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith (2 Timothy)
- 6. 1: 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel. This language is used in apprenticeships arrangements, so Paul may have commissioned him in textile work, which work Philemon may have worked also, since the language throughout this letter is used as business type jargon companion or partner in verse 17 is a Greek word used in business. (Wayment, p. 398)
- 7. Pauls Plea for Onesimus Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paulan old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me (Wayment translation) Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me (KJV) 劉虜僚凌, teknou child How does Paul refer to Onesimus?
- 8. Philemon 1:18 -20 How is Paul as a Father/proxy savior to Onesimus? If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
- 9. Father-son Emperor-vassal King-vassal Suzerain-vassal The King or Suzerain is at the top -- and just below him are the Lords or Vassals to the King, below that are the Knights or the Vassals to the Lords. If the relationship was familial or friendly, the parties are referred to as "father" and "son." If the relationship is bereft of kindness and intimacy, the parties are referred to as "lord" and "servant," or "king" and "vassal," or "greater king" and "lesser king." The greater king is the suzerain and the lesser king is a prince, or a lesser lord in the service of the greater king. The lesser lord is a representative of all the common people who are under the protection of the greater king. (Suzerain Treaties & the Covenants in the Bible)
- 10. Vassal - King Relationship
- 11. All of this allegiance was formal, much like a treaty or covenant. The agreement between a Lord and his vassal, was known as a suzerainty or vassal treaty and the two parties were considered as "Lord" and "son." (Robert Bradshaw)
- 12. Father and son In the case of individual infractions within this hierarchical arrangement, heads of households answered to their vassal king for the disloyalties or misdemeanors of their households, and vassal kings answered to the emperor for the disloyalties or misdemeanors of their people. In other words, the term father became synonymous with being a proxy for those over whom one exercised a stewardship. Each father was responsible as a son to his father for those to whom he ministered. (Gileadi)
- 13. Helamans sons all were saved in battle And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites. For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, (Alma 56)
- 14. Jesus as son and father When Jesus kept the law of his father -- God the Father was bound to save his son -- bringing Christ back to life through resurrection. If we keep the laws of Christ, he is then bound to save us. The king (or queen) is anointed to serve as a king below the King of kings -- and a king to his vassals -- to provide protection in a covenant relationship. You obey my law, as I obey the law of my Father, the great High King. In the sacred anointing ceremony, a Father-Son relationship is established -- becoming a Son or a Daughter of God includes the implication of agreeing to serve as a proxy-savior; that is, a willingness to suffer to obtain deliverance of those for whom you are responsible.
- 15. Did Paul write the letters in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus? The letters use a significant number of words that are not found in Pauls other letters, the style of writing is markedly different, and they seem to describe events that took place after Acts 28. One solution is to accept them as representations of what Paul counseled Timothy and Titus, while noting that he did not likely write them in the same way he wrote his other letters. (Wayment, p. 378)
- 16. The Mystery of Godliness We agree that the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3: 16)
- 17. (1 Timothy 4: 14) Do not neglect your spiritual gift..
- 18. I do not allow a woman to teach nor to govern a man; she is to be silent. For Adam was created first and then Eve. Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. She will be saved in bearing children if she remains in faith, love, and holiness with self- control. (1 Timothy 2: 12-15)