Daily Scripture Reading Philemon 1:10-25

People tend to be self-centered. One of the results of that is a tendency to expect other people to do things we ourselves are not willing to do. Many people ask others to do difficult things, but they themselves avoid hardship as much as possible.

Today we will read about a situation in which Paul asked Philemon to make a sacrifice. However, Paul was not self-centered about it, he was willing to make a sacrifice himself.

In the first 9 verses of Philemon, we learn that Paul wrote to Philemon because he wanted to give Philemon the chance to demonstrate love.

Philem. 10 ¶ I plead with you for my child Onesimus, of whom I became a father in my chains,

The word father indicates that Onesimus became a believer through Paul’s ministry.

Philem. 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

Notice the words “useless” and “useful”. Onesimus went from being useless to Philemon to being useful.

Philem. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, my very heart,

Philem. 13 whom I intended to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel,

Philem. 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but voluntary.

Philem. 15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,

Philem. 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

This verse tells us Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. The word “brother” tells us Onesimus became a believer, so he was no longer just a slave of Philemon, he was also a brother in Christ.

Philem. 17 ¶ If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would accept me.

Philem. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

Philem. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).

Paul was asking Philemon to make a sacrifice. However, he was not merely asking Philemon to demonstrate love, Paul was demonstrating love himself. Paul was willing to pay anything that Onesimus owed to Philemon.

Life as a Christian is hard. Sometimes obeying Jesus is difficult. However, Jesus died on the cross. He does not ask us to do something that He was not willing to do.

Overall, humans tend to be selfish. We are often tempted to expect other people to do things we ourselves are not willing to do. However, just as Jesus died on the cross and just as Paul was willing to pay off the debts of Onesimus, if we expect someone to do something difficult, we should ask ourselves if we are willing to make an equivalent sacrifice.

Philem. 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ!

Philem. 21 ¶ Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

Philem. 22 ¶ And at the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

Philem. 23 ¶ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

Philem. 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

Philem. 25 ¶ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

People tend to be self-centered. One of the results of that is a tendency to expect other people to do things we ourselves are not willing to do. Many people ask others to do difficult things, but they themselves avoid hardship as much as possible.

Paul wanted Philemon to allow Onesimus to serve Paul, which required Philemon to do without the services of his slave, but Paul offered to make a sacrifice himself. He offered to pay of any debt that Onesimus owed to Philemon.

What is a situation in which you need someone to make a sacrifice that will benefit you?

What sacrifice are you willing to make that would benefit that person?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”