Devotion:
Read Philemon 1:4-7.
Paul’s letters are arranged in the New Testament from the longest to the shortest, and this letter to Philemon is the last and shortest. Philemon was the leader of a house church in Colossae and a friend of Paul’s. Sometimes people disappointed Paul, and he was not slow to point that out. But here we see him showing his appreciation and respect for someone who was faithful, who loved his congregation, and who encouraged them.
Paul often referred to himself in the opening of his letters as an apostle, which adds a note of authority to the words that follow. Paul does not use that title here but simply refers to himself as a “prisoner of Christ Jesus,” acknowledging his imprisonment in Rome. Paul was writing to ask Philemon to accept back his runaway slave, Onesimus, whom Paul is sending home to him. Even more significantly, Paul is asking Philemon to free him. Paul does not order this, as he could, but simply asks it of Philemon as an equal and as a dear friend. Like all of us, Paul needed the encouragement and the joy of knowing that our work is not in vain. Philemon’s faith in Christ and his love of people gave Paul that gift of joy and encouragement.
Personal Worship Option:
What about your faith in Christ fills you with joy? Is it worshiping together, serving others, being in a small group, or something else? Think about how you can share with someone else the thing that brings you the most joy and then share it today.
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