Monday, July 16, 2012

Philemon


This is an interesting little letter to a Christina slave owner, Philemon, who had a slave, Onesimus. Onesimus robbed Philemon and then followed Paul to Rome where he became a Christian under Paul's preaching and mentoring. Paul is now asking Philemon to take back his old slave as a brother in the Lord.

Impressions: Early Christians did not attack slavery head on, but emphasised the brotherhood of believers and thus when a slave became a Christian, as did his master, a new relationship came about which did away with the slave/master relationship. Only after exposure to the light of the gospel could the institution of slavery die.

Readability: 4 stars



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