The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-11-26
Lesson for November 20
PAuL's LETTER TO PHILEMON

GOLDEN TEXT-There is neither
Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond
nor free, there is neither male nor fe-
male: for We are all one in Christ
Jesus.
LESSON TEXT-Philemon.
PRIMARY TOPIC-How to Treat .
Servant.
JUNIOR ToPIC-A Servant Becomes
a Brother.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
Ic-A Slave Made a Brother.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Christ Transforming Social Rela-
tionships.
This letter is a private one. Phile-
mon was member of the church at
Coiosse. Onesimus, his slave. wronged
him, and fled to Rome. At Rome he
came under Paul's influence and was
converted. Paul sent Onesimus back
to Philemon with this letter-One of
the most tactful. tender. and beautiful
letters ever written, and the first anti.
slavery petition ever penned.
.. His Salutation wv. 1-3).
In salutation he refers to himself
as a prisoner and links Philemon to
himself as fellow laborer in the
gospel, having as his special aim to
touch Philemon's heart. He makes
mention of Apphia. Philemon's wife,
and Archippus. the son, who had al
ready enlisted as a fellow soldier.
II. Philemon's Reputation .(vv. 40.
Paul paid a fine tribute to Phile-
mons character. reminding him that
he never prayed without bearing him
up before God.
1. His faith and love toward the
Lord and all saints ". 81. 1t was
Paul's hope and desire that Philemon's
faith might bear fruit in Jesus Christ.
With such an approach. the way was
open to Phlemon's heart.
.. His ministry to the saints ". y.
Philemon was most generous in his
ministry to the poor saints.
III. PauI's Request wv. S-16).
He requests Philemon to receive
back Onesimus. the runaway slave.
as a brother In Christ. Note the in.
comparable delicacy and courtesy with
which Paul approaches Philemon.
/. He beseeches instead Of COM
mands (vv. S-10). Though conscious
Of his right to enjoin, he pleads as
the prisoner Of Jesus Christ for loves
sake.
2. He makes his plea on the grounds
Of grace wv. 11-14). He admits that
Onesimus has been improbable, has
forfeited all claim upon Philemon, and
that on grounds of justice his plea
might we'll be rejected and yet be-
cause Onesimus was begotten In his
bonds ". 10). was in a real sense a
part of his own suffering nature
w. 12), he ventures to suggest that
he should be accepted. Though Onesi-
mus hitherto has been improbable to
his master. he Is now profitable to
both Paul and Philemon.
8. Paul desired that Onesimus be
received back, not as a slave. but as
a brother in Christ (vv Is. 16). Here
is the real fugitive slave law. Paul
never attacked slavery, but emphasized
principles which destroyed it. Chris.
tianity changes the whole face of hu.
man society. The wise thing to do is
to get men and women regenerated
and thus transform society instead Of
seeking change by revolution. Social
wrongs can permanently be removed
by the creation of a brotherhood
which can be realized only by faith in
Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ
brings the individual into connection
with the source Of life. In Paul's re-
quest for Onesimus you can hear the
pleadings Of Christ for sinners. All
men have gone astray and have be-
come Improbable. Though possessing
no merit. he has made US profitable.
We have been begotten In his bonds.
Through his passion. agony Of heart.
We shall be changed. We can see and
hear him now pleading our cause be.
fore Gods throne for loves sake.
~. The Basis upon Which onesi.
mus Is to Be Received wv. 17-21).
The debt of guilty Onesimus is to be
put to the account of Paul. and the
merit Of Paul is to be put to the &C.
count Of Onesimus. This is a fine II.
iustratiOn Of the atonement of Christ.
Whatever wrongs we have committed.
debts incurred. all our shortcomings
are debited to him. Jesus Christ, on
behalf Of all mankind. has said to God.
PUT that to my account. have
written with my pierced hand. will
repay" Onesimus was taken back,
not as a runaway slave. but as a be-
loved brother in Christ.
v. Paul Requests Lodging wv. %
25).
He expected a speedy release from
Imprisonment and purposed to sojourn
with Philemon. In all probability this
was realized. What a welcome he
must have received! Jesus Christ is
saying to everyone Of his redeemed
ones. Prepare me a lodging"
YaskArdav Tod.v