Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 130:519 (Jul 1973)
Article: Studies in Philemon Part VI: Able to Keep You
Author: J. Dwight Pentecost

---

BSac 130:519 (Jul 73) p. 250

Studies in Philemon
Part VI:
Able to Keep You

J. Dwight Pentecost

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

The Apostle Paul used his prison as a pulpit, and while under subjection to the government of Rome he sought opportunity to preach the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. The apostle testifies he was bound, but the Word of God could not be, and was not bound. Because of the fruits of Paul’s labor, comes this Epistle to Philemon. Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon, a Christian from Colossae, who evidently has stolen from his master so that he might make the trip from Colossae to Rome, had been saved. The apostle puts himself in the place of an intercessor, asking Philemon that Onesimus might be restored to his family, to his privileges and responsibilities again. In this plea of Paul for Onesimus, one has marvelous illustrations by way of application of the gospel of the grace of God, which takes sinners who were under a death sentence, as Onesimus was under a death sentence because of his crime, and restores them to the Father’s family and the Father’s house.

It was seen, in the first place, if one might review for a moment, Paul’s expectation is that Philemon will receive Onesimus because of the good disposition previously having been manifested by Philemon. His love for God and faithfulness toward the saints was widely known. God’s love for sinners could not be manifested in the salvation of sinners until Jesus Christ came and gave Himself as an offering for sin. Then, because of that offering, God’s good disposition towards sinners might be poured forth. Then, in the second place, beginning at verse 8, the apostle puts himself in the place of an intercessor and he

BSac 130:519 (Jul 73) p. 251

pleads on behalf of one whom he now can call “my son, Onesimus.” One is reminded of the words in the letter to the Hebrews (7:25) that “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Jesus Christ became our intercessor, the mediator between God and man. In the third place, in verses 12–16, Onesimus is received by Philemon because of his new relationship to the Apostle Paul. Onesimus is a “brother beloved,” a “son in the faith,” one whose heart has been knit to the heart of the Apostle Paul in the bonds of the gospel. The truth was illustrated that one has been made a son of God in Jesus Christ because he has been made one with Christ. The believer has been made acceptable to God as Jesus Christ is acceptable. Then the g...

visitor : : uid: ()