A Beloved Brother: The Heart of Paul's Appeal (Philemon 8-25)

[Sung Psalm: 103]

The OT law was clear: Israel was not supposed to enslave fellow Israelites. In certain cases (particularly for debt), an Israelite might temporarily become a slave – but they were to be set free in the 7th year.

Jeremiah 34 makes it clear that Israel was ignoring this requirement. Oh, sure, they "set them free" – only to enslave them once more.

But God says that you should not enslave your brother.

In Philemon, Paul will make a big deal about how Onesimus is your brother. You should not be holding your brother as a slave.

Many have criticized Paul for failing to condemn the institution of slavery. They want Paul to be a modern abolitionist. But abolition takes as its goal merely the "end of slavery." Abolitionism has no positive goal – what are you going to replace it with?

Paul wants to see reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. He wants to see them live together as brothers.