Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 129:516 (Oct 1972)
Article: For Love’s Sake Part III: An Exposition of Philemon 8-11
Author: J. Dwight Pentecost

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BSac 129:516 (Oct 72) p. 344

For Love’s Sake
Part III:
An Exposition of Philemon 8-11

J. Dwight Pentecost

[J. Dwight Pentecost, Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary.]

Because Calvary’s door is ajar, one may come to Him, just as he is. That is the message which is illustrated in the Epistle of Paul to Philemon. Onesimus had fled from Philemon, his master, and made his way to Rome, the capital of the empire. There he had come into contact with the Apostle Paul who had pointed this runaway slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. Through God’s grace, and by God’s mercy, this slave came to Christ, just as he was, and found life and salvation in Him. Although the Apostle Paul desired to keep Onesimus with him so that Onesimus might minister to his needs, Paul determined to send Onesimus back to Philemon. Whether or not Philemon would receive Onesimus depended on the disposition of Philemon. The Apostle Paul, as seen in verses 4 through 7, was confident that Philemon would manifest a kindly disposition to Onesimus because he had manifested that very attitude previously. The faith and the love of Philemon were well known throughout the assembly of believers, and the apostle was certain that that which had characterized Philemon in reference to the saints, previously, will characterize Philemon now in his attitude toward his runaway slave who has become a saint. God is a gracious God. God’s disposition does not need to be changed toward sinners, for He is a God of mercy, patience, grace, and love. But God’s kindly disposition toward sinners could not be manifested until there is some basis upon which God may deal with sinners. Jesus Christ, in the propitiation which He has accomplished on the cross, has satisfied God’s demand so that God is free to shower His goodness

BSac 129:516 (Oct 72) p. 345

upon those who come to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Calvary did not change the attitude of God to sinners, but Calvary did release all that God is to sinners. Thus, one may come to Him.

In verses 8 to 11, one finds that Onesimus will be received because of the intercession of one who pleads for his restoration out of a heart of love. Just as Onesimus would be received because of the kindly disposition of Philemon toward him, also, Onesimus will be received because of the intercession of one who pleads for him in love. The Apostle Paul, because of the authority entrusted to him as an apostle, might have issued a command to Philemon. The apostle was not loathe to command a right course of conduct to believers. In the Epistle to the Ph...

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