Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
If we share our faith we deepen our own understanding.
This often happens when we teach someone something we often understand it better ourselves.
v.6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
If we share our faith we deepen our own understanding.
This often happens when we teach someone something we often understand it better ourselves.
v.14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
We do others a disservice when we presume upon their kindness or put them under some sort of obligation to assist even if it is for the cause of the gospel. It is God who convicts, challenges and guides his children, not us. Our service for God needs to given freely from a heart of thankfulness, not from a sense of obligation.
v.14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
We do others a disservice when we presume upon their kindness or put them under some sort of obligation to assist even if it is for the cause of the gospel. It is God who convicts, challenges and guides his children, not us. Our service for God needs to given freely from a heart of thankfulness, not from a sense of obligation.
v.8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do.
Always better to ask than to order. God rewards those who act voluntarily and are not under duress.
v.8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do.
Always better to ask than to order. God rewards those who act voluntarily and are not under duress.
v.21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Did Paul think that Philemon would grant Onesimus his freedom? Or did Paul hope Philemon would send Onesimus back to help him while he was still in chains? (v.13).
Paul did not confront the problem of slavery but rather encouraged all slave owners to treat their slaves rightly and fairly (Colossians 4:1) which would actually end slavery, if followed through.
v.21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Did Paul think that Philemon would grant Onesimus his freedom? Or did Paul hope Philemon would send Onesimus back to help him while he was still in chains? (v.13).
Paul did not confront the problem of slavery but rather encouraged all slave owners to treat their slaves rightly and fairly (Colossians 4:1) which would actually end slavery, if followed through.