JanMary Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Paul said "I do not want your benevolence to be the result of compulsion or of pressure, but voluntary." He wanted Philemon to make the choice to receive Onesimus and to forgive him in his own heart and will, not because he was forced to do so. That would only lead to resentment and more pressure on Onesimus. Outward actions that don't reflect our inner motives don't lead to true reconciliation between individuals. Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? I think it was both to build character and out of respect. More like giving Philemon an opportunity to grow in love and forgiveness and the crucifixion of his will. After all he had been wronged in several ways. The entire church was watching to see how their Pastor would respond to this situation. Paul seemed to trust that he would do the godly thing and both forgive and welcome Onesimus back as a brother in Christ and would be an example of what Jesus asks us to do in loving one another. It was a beautiful opportunity for the entire church to reflect on their own sin and lost state before they came to Christ and to follow Philemon's example in welcoming Oneismus into their fellowship as a brother in Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanie123 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Sometimes when we tell people what they better do or what they will do they tend to react in a negative way. it is always better to appealed to people like you would want someone to appeal to you. The bible says with love and kindness have I drawn you. I believe it is out of respect for Philemon being one in authority and as a brother in the lord. I believe the bottom line is in order for us to be forgiven we must forgive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I think that the reason the Paul doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia A Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Paul makes a strong appeal indeed, but he seeks Philemon's action out of his own free will rather than in response to an apostolic command. God always seeks our heart rather than merely our robotic response. "But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced." (verse 14) Does Paul go over the top in supporting his plea. He's near the edge, perhaps, but yet he seeks Philemon's heart decision. That's why he doesn't go farther and command Philemon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 You cannot command someone to forgive someone else. It neeeds to come from the heart. Paul sets the atmosphere for Philemon to truly forgive Onesimus and to receive him as a valuable brother now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiKosum Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csreeves Posted June 21, 2010 Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted June 23, 2010 Report Share Posted June 23, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaiden Rochelle Posted June 29, 2010 Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saja3 Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 Paul doesn't command Philemon to respond in his favor because he wants him to respond as a Chistian would. And yes, I do think that it is out of respect for his personhood as well as to build moral chracter in him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramon Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Answer: Paul doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelOnLine Posted September 19, 2010 Report Share Posted September 19, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Forgiveness must come from the heart, not a command. He wanted Philemon to forgive him because it was the right thing to do, not because someone told him to. Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? To help him build moral character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest genevieve gilroy Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest genevieve gilroy Posted December 6, 2010 Report Share Posted December 6, 2010 Paul is a teacher .He wants the questioner to offer his answer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highohfaith Posted January 1, 2011 Report Share Posted January 1, 2011 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn't Paul come right out and command Philemon? Is this out of respect for his personhood or to build moral character in him -- or what? Paul wants Philemon's response to receive Onesimus to be one of the heart..a response to the love of Christ which is in all of them. As Paul, an apostle of Christ brought the Lords love to Philemon and taught him the gospel, he also brought Onesimus to Christ. Paul does this both for building moral character and respect..but mostly for Christ so as to show brotherly love toward one another! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leihaynes Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 2a)He seeks Philemon to act out of his own free will, a heart decision, not as a response to a command, so their can be true reconciliation.Their new relationship is now of brothers in Christ not just slave/master. B)It seems out of respect for Philemon a brother in Christ & for him to mature in Christ as he shows act of love & forgiveness to Onesimus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinstonY Posted February 6, 2015 Report Share Posted February 6, 2015 Paul doesn't command for several reasons. First it is not Pauls way. We note in Paul's letters that he tends to urge people to respond to his way by compliment and coaxing. Secondly the Roman law was against him. Philemon had every right to demand slave return and demand payment for lost value. Those protecting the slave could be punished. Paul is much better to kindly ask his request. Paul and Onesimus have no leg to stand upon except Christian love and charity. This is Pauls approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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