Paul is a prisoner somewhere. He may have met a slave, Onesimus, in prison. We do not know a lot of details. Paul is appealing to Philemon to be reconciled with the returning slave. Does that mean, since they are now Christian "brothers," that the salve is to be freed? Again, we don't know but it makes a big difference depending n which direction we think Paul is leading Philemon. Radical freedom for Onesimus or just radical care? Law mandated that runaway slaves be returned but Paul is now returning a new Christian. Paul, like Christ is reconciling but we do not know to what extent. Paul really does "butter up" Philemon with praise.
Paul does remind Philemon that he has spiritual authority over him (but to what end?) Paul does a very Jewish thing and uses a pun. He says Onesimus was once useless. His names means "useful. Useful for work or the Gospel or both? Hmmm, don't know. What do you think in light over everything else you are learning about the Gospel?
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