Paul wrote this short personal letter while still under house arrest after being arrested in Jerusalem. He was in Rome awaiting trial in Ceasar’s court. Paul wrote four letters while waiting. It is now 61 or 62 AD.
Onesimus met Paul while in Rome. He was a runaway slave who had stolen some things from his master, Philemon, who lived in Colosse. He may have been a fellow prisoner in Rome. How they met is not clear. That Onesimus had come to faith in Jesus at Paul’s message is clear. Paul was pleading to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.
Paul was a peacemaker. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Mt 5:9) James 2:19 says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Yeah, I want to be called a son of God and raise a harvest of righteousness, even though I don’t exactly know what that means.
Do I know two people or groups of people that have differences and hostilities? No two come to mind. However, though it’s not the same as what is meant, my younger brother and I have differences that I would like to be resolved.
More than that, though I get along with my remaining sister and older brother quite well, and all four of us live far apart, I pray that we may get together in Christ’s name before another of us pass. So there, I can be a peacemaker like Paul, and like my Father above.
After praying and while praying I need to find ways to act. I have reached out to my younger sibling in the past. I can continue to try to, perhaps someday we may build up a report.
