Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-10
For Dec. 1f-PhiIemOn

This little letter is one of the
gems of literature, and one of the
choicest bits of the Bible. 1t sur
passes in beauty any similar letter
in ancient or modern literature.
Paul is a prisoner at Rome. He has
written a letter to the Colossians
to correct a growing heresy regard
ing the person of Christ, and sends
it by Tychicus and Onesimus, the
latter of whom had come from Co.
lOsSe. AT the same time he sends
by Onesimus to Philemon this per-
SOnal note, which, considering the
circumstances, is of surprising
beauty. incidentally it reveals a
new trait of this wonderful little
mantle ability to change at once
from SO sublime a subject as that
of his letter to the Colossians to so
simple an one as this to Philemon.
Philemon was a rich man of Co
losse, who owned a large number
of slaves. He had been converted
through Pau1s influence, no doubt
while Paul was at Ephesus. He
and his wife Apphia and his son
Archippus were often, the hosts of
others of the brethren, and their
house being large enough was the
meeting place Of the church. of
Colosse. Plyilemon was such a
Christian that because of his love
and faith toward Christ, he was
constantly doing something to re-
fresh the hearts of the saints.
One of his slaves had stolen some
money and run away. When one
considers the condition of the Phry-
gian-slaVes he is inclined to excuse
Onesimus for this sin, but of course
he could not be excused. Without
education, without liberty, without
recognition of their personality,
slaves were in a sad plight in those
days; and the fact that they were
so largely in the majority made
them a menace and brought upon
them severer treatment than they
might otherwise have received. Driv-
en- to desperation as he considered
his lot, even though it is certain
that Philemon showed every kind
ness to his slaves, Onesimus stole
some of Philemon's money and ran
away to Rome to hide himself in the
hustle and multitude Of the world
metropolis.
In Rome Onesimus came in con-
tact with Paul in some way; and
hearing from Paul's own lips the
glorious gospel of the Son of God,
which is the power Of God into sal
walton to everyone that believeth,
Onesimus turned from his own heart
WEAKNESS, laid his burden of sin on
the sin-bearer, and surrendered his
life to Paul's Lord. He stuck
around Paul, and ministered to him
during his prison experiences in such
a helpful way that Paul felt that
giving him up was like tearing out
a piece of his very life itself. One
sinus who had been a good-for-
nothing runaway became a profit
able helper to the great Apostle. 1t
is but another illustration of the
fact that Jesus Christ makes over
lives in a most wonderful way. How
MANY YOU can name who were once
worse than worthless, but who are
now. because of the grace OF Coo,
mowers for good in the church and
community, and many even whose
/ influence reaches out around the
! whole wide world. All! comes closer
home, How valueless you were un.
til the marvellous grace OF Goo
| orinned YOU and made you worm
while. to some extent at least.
! Paul recognized Philemon's claim
| on Onesimus, however. The gospe
| does not destroy relationships, pu'
= it does change them. Oneslmus was
1 still Philemof's slave in the flesn
! but he was also now Philemon
, brother in the Lord. In the flesr
! philemon had a brother for a Save
| in the Lord he had a save Tor
| brother. And because the 1ornaei
| relationship had not been oollterate.
| since Onesimus had been converted
! Paul insisted that Oneslmus mus
do the right thing and go pach u
his master, ask for forgiveness ahC
serve him as his Lords representa-
tive. He himself would write uls
ing Philemon to forgive nm anu re
lceiye him; for the law IN the cdos
of a runaway slave allowed the lllao
ter to punish him in any way h'
pleased, even taking. his lie. F1eilc'
the letter.
The Letter
glance at this note VIII ulScoN
er many interesting tnlllss. -,
haeins by expressing his thanks u
ca for what he has heard OF Phlle
mons faith and of his loVe-Laltl
toward Christ expressing 1tse1 II
love toward the saints. for he mao
hoard far away in Rome, and II hae
GIVEN him great joy to hear IT, nov
Philemon was refreshing the heafCS
of the saints. When Philemon gave
of his money to help out the prem,
rem. and when he spoke this wore
of cheer and comfort to THIS one II
distress. and that word OF encour
apement to the discouraged one, h'
little thought it would be heard o.
awav off in Rome-and he dld mo-
i'm his widest dreams ever imagine
il would be told of in Georgia nearly
1000 years later. But Jesus Christ
never forgets any service. however
small or large. that is rendered in
His name: and He will abundantlS
reward 1t.
refreshed him. and prayed Tor MN
a most remarkable prayer. Read J.
in verse 6. Some TRANSACTIONS ledo
us to believe that Paul prayed tina
Philemon's sharing OF his talth az
he did might lead others to realize
the good things we have in Christ
Eut this was q PRAYER for Philemon
As the context plainly shows; an(
what Paul prayed was that Phile
mons sharing of his material bless
ings with others might result il
Philemon's realizing all that h
might have in Christ. Some folk!
are too stingy to get anywhere il
the Christian life; whereas God il