January 14, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Kings, Acts, & Hebrews? Here’s today’s reading:
Philemon (NIV)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.……Continue Reading
Next: 2 Kings 17
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Back: 2 Kings 16
Philemon
What a great picture of a time when culture divided so many. Jews gentiles. Women men. Slaves owners. Rich poor. Etc. but Jesus destroyed all those barriers. We are all equal as brothers and sisters in Christ now. As a former runaway slave becomes a brother in Christ and now Paul can defend him even to say. Whatever he owes I’ll back him. Over and over I learn my little differences with certain personalities mean nothing. We are all on the same plane at the cross. I have enough of a plank in my eye to not look down on another church member. A constant lesson we are all made in the image of the almighty how dare I look to someone as inferior. Just love what the world would do with this situation and what we should do now as both men have become believers. Forgive and let Gods love flourish
Philemon
A letter written to a friend about a friend. A favor asked for a life that has been changed. Paul did not demand anything of Philemon but rather gave him the freedom to do what was right in love and of his own choice. It is apparent that Paul could have made him do it but instead he asked him to search himself and find forgiveness for this man. We know in those times the slave/master relationship would have made the response to an escaped slave a simple decision and likely death. It is clear Paul knew that and sought to convince Philemon to think differently and give this man a second chance. This situation feels very similar to God giving us a second chance despite our sin, paying a debt we owed on our behalf. This short letter is certainly heartfelt and something we can all identify with as those who have been forgiven and as those who often need to forgive others.
Quite a model of negotiation found here. First Paul lets Philemon know how much he appreciates him both for who he is and what he has done. Then he sets aside his authority in making his request and makes it relational, with he and Phil on the same level. Next he makes Philemon aware of the change that God has made in Onesimus’s life and how Paul has observed it first hand. It is important to say considering that Onesimus stole from Phil and then ran away from being his slave. He then asks Phil’s permission to do what he thinks is right while also expressing what he thinks Phil should do. Paul then offers to pay whatever Phil thinks that he is owed. So it is a combination of convincing, reminding, helping, reenforcing what is right and true and pointing to the nature of their relationship as friends, co-laborers and one who has received much from Paul as well. How neat that such a persons letter is in the Scriptures.
Psalm 68; Jeremiah 45-47; Philemon
Philemon
A heartfelt letter written by Paul to Philemon, to ensure that the friend he is sending to them is welcomed back with open arms. He communicates what he wishes them to do when he sends him back, he states that he knows they will do even more than what he asks, and he tells Philemon he will cover the cost for any harm done. It’s an effective, respectful way to get the point across that Onesimus should be accepted because he is a changed man and a brother in Christ. This is what real friends do for one another; they support, encourage, provide and protect. Let us do the same for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Reconciliation and unity in Christ demonstrated in a real life example.