Wherefore, though I might be much
bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which
is convenient, yet for love's sake
I rather beseech thee, being such an
one as Paul the aged, and now also a
prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for
my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten
in my bonds; which in time past was to
thee unprofitable, but now profitable
to thee and to me: whom I have sent
again: thou therefore receive him,
that is mine own bowels:
Philemon 8-12
Paul was not entreating doctrine in his letter to Philemon, but, while expressing his desire for Onesimus who had turned, converted to Jesus Christ, doctrine is applied for Philemon, the Church were Philemon attended and by this letter we too can receive the doctrine that is embedded in this letter.
Paul uses a very confusing word "bowels" so we must get an understanding of the use for this word. First, the Greek word is used for the bowels, the intestines and this word is always used in the plural, so it does and can refer to the physical organs, it used once in this respect (
Acts 1:18). This word, "bowels" is regarded by the Hebrews as the seat of emotion, the seat of tender affections, or tender mercy, an inward affection. This is the way Paul was using this word according to the understanding and use of it by the Hebrews. It is also interesting to note that the Greek writers also used this word in the same manner: in ancient times to be the seat of various emotions. Greek poets, from Aeschylus down, regarded the bowels as the seat of the more violent passions such as anger and love. We use that word in our present age in the same manner. Do not add more to this word as in some speculative theory. It is what it has always been used and nothing else.
Acts 1:18). This word, "bowels" is regarded by the Hebrews as the seat of emotion, the seat of tender affections, or tender mercy, an inward affection. This is the way Paul was using this word according to the understanding and use of it by the Hebrews. It is also interesting to note that the Greek writers also used this word in the same manner: in ancient times to be the seat of various emotions. Greek poets, from Aeschylus down, regarded the bowels as the seat of the more violent passions such as anger and love. We use that word in our present age in the same manner. Do not add more to this word as in some speculative theory. It is what it has always been used and nothing else.
As I have pointed out in previous blogs the doctrine of love and faith we not separate and apart from each other as they are not only separate they are one side of a two sided coin, faith on one side, love on the other, and they cannot be separated. Love, agape love, principled God love, is the love Authentic Christian must manifest in their everyday exercise in work, play, and at home and this can only be accomplished if one has Authentic Christian Faith for by that faith then the precepts, commands of God are intrinsic in them and they are then pragmatically manifesting the image of Christ. Paul admonishes Philemon in the name of Jesus Christ, but this he did not do, he admonished Philemon in the love of Jesus Christ. Paul was making intercession for Onesimus and this we too should be doing for our brothers and sisters, and especially for one who has turned from their evil way to follow Jesus Christ.
What joy, happiness comes to a person when they convert to Jesus Christ, not just believe in Jesus Christ, rather convert to Him. There is a chasm of difference between belief and conversion, for with the heart one believes, but with conversion one then lives wholly for Jesus Christ. This converted person will now be profitable to himself, his family, his children, his Church, his community, and to society as a whole. Have you converted to Jesus Christ, or are you just a believer? Satan believes, but Satan has not and will not convert to Jesus Christ. Repentance, true repentance is necessary for one to convert to Jesus Christ and the to exercise this new life in all they do and say. You may not, in fact you will not, be popular, and in some cases persecuted, but this due to the fact that those who have not converted to Jesus hates Jesus, and that means Christians and especially Authentic Christians. Why should I care about what others think? What I should care about is what Jesus Christ thinks of me, and I want to hear from Him, well done faithful and discreet slave. Do you not want to hear Jesus say this of you?
Faithfulness and diligence is necessary for joint-heirs of Jesus Christ and for the eternal life God has promised to His children. By our volition we choose, and my prayer is that you choose to be faithful to Jesus Christ, and to be diligent in prayer, study, and to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Here is where true happiness lies. It is there for you and for me, all we have to do, it be faithful, and diligent and it is yours for keeps, ours to keep, and this is eternal happiness that which the world cannot understand, you can, it is found written in the true, inerrant, unchanging word of God, inspired by God. As Paul recommended to Philemon the change of life by Onesimus, that he accept him and use him in service for God, we too must then diligently accept those who have converted to Jesus Christ, is not the case for many of us? Yes! Praise God!
The LORD knoweth the days
of the upright: and their
inheritance shall be forever.
Psalm 37:18
Become an intercessory warrior
Richard L. Crumb
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