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Pretty Please?

August 23rd, 2023

Philemon 1:17-25

If you’ve ever taken an English composition class, you’ve probably had to write a persuasive paper at least once. The apostle Paul wrote a persuasive composition of his own to a man named Philemon.

Philemon, like others in his time, had a slave named Onesimus who worked for him. This slave had sinned against his master and run away. Then, Onesimus met Paul and became a believer. Paul took a liking to Onesimus and wanted to help heal the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. Paul wanted Philemon to realize that although they were of different earthly social classes, they were both children of the same heavenly Father. Paul hoped that Philemon could forgive Onesimus and that the two could be friends again.

There’s a reason Paul’s letter to Philemon was included in the Bible. It’s there to remind each and every one of us that despite our differences, we’re all human and we’re all children of the same heavenly Father. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s the happy ending needed in many a story.

Author: Andrea Talley