DAY 347 Read Philemon and Titus.
Today's reading: Paul's Epistle to Philemon, written toward the end of the first imprisonment in Rome, is a letter to a friend about a runaway slave, Onesimus. The letter to Titus was apparently written about the same time as the first one to Timothy. Paul had left Titus in charge of the work on Crete.
Memory gem: "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints" (Philemon 4 and 5).
Thought for today:
Philemon's slave, Onesimus, had run away to the city of Rome where the apostle was prisoner. In some way Paul met Onesimus there, and under his patient and loving ministry Onesimus was converted.
And now the great servant of God is sending Onesimus back to his master, Philemon, who also is a Christian, with this beautiful letter. The apostle suggests that he really needs the service of Onesimus and that he actually belongs to him because he has brought him to Christ. Yet he says that Philemon, himself being a convert, should be willing to receive the apostle's word as a command to take his servant back with Christian kindness.
How could Philemon resist such an appeal as this? "I do not command you," Paul said in effect, "though I might do so; but I beseech you, for love's sake, forgive Onesimus; receive him again, not merely as a servant, but as a beloved brother.
The apostle offers to stand good for any damages or to pay any debt that Philemon may consider Onesimus owes him.
I should like to have been present when Philemon opened this letter and read it, after taking it from the hand of Onesimus. What mixed feelings must have overwhelmed him! And then those words, "for love's sake." A letter from "Paul the aged," aged in the service of God, bearing the marks and scars of his sufferings for Jesus. Tears must have trickled down Philemon's face. Yes, I think he embraced Onesimus and received him back as a member of his household, as "a brother beloved," and all "for love's sake."
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Difficult or obscure words:
Titus 1:12. "Slow bellies"--lazy gluttons.
Today's reading: Paul's Epistle to Philemon, written toward the end of the first imprisonment in Rome, is a letter to a friend about a runaway slave, Onesimus. The letter to Titus was apparently written about the same time as the first one to Timothy. Paul had left Titus in charge of the work on Crete.
Memory gem: "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints" (Philemon 4 and 5).
Thought for today:
Philemon's slave, Onesimus, had run away to the city of Rome where the apostle was prisoner. In some way Paul met Onesimus there, and under his patient and loving ministry Onesimus was converted.
And now the great servant of God is sending Onesimus back to his master, Philemon, who also is a Christian, with this beautiful letter. The apostle suggests that he really needs the service of Onesimus and that he actually belongs to him because he has brought him to Christ. Yet he says that Philemon, himself being a convert, should be willing to receive the apostle's word as a command to take his servant back with Christian kindness.
How could Philemon resist such an appeal as this? "I do not command you," Paul said in effect, "though I might do so; but I beseech you, for love's sake, forgive Onesimus; receive him again, not merely as a servant, but as a beloved brother.
The apostle offers to stand good for any damages or to pay any debt that Philemon may consider Onesimus owes him.
I should like to have been present when Philemon opened this letter and read it, after taking it from the hand of Onesimus. What mixed feelings must have overwhelmed him! And then those words, "for love's sake." A letter from "Paul the aged," aged in the service of God, bearing the marks and scars of his sufferings for Jesus. Tears must have trickled down Philemon's face. Yes, I think he embraced Onesimus and received him back as a member of his household, as "a brother beloved," and all "for love's sake."
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Titus 1:12. "Slow bellies"--lazy gluttons.
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