Venice church of ChristNew Testament Reading: #Philemon 1:1-25
#Paul made Philemon an offer he couldn't refuse regarding Onesimus his #slave.
Paul wrote to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church in his house.
He wrote regarding Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave who had become a Christian and a spiritual child to Paul in the latter's imprisonment.
Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon as a demonstration of goodwill and was fully confident Philemon would not punish Onesimus but would welcome him as a fellow believer, and ideally, send him back to be of service to Paul.
Whatever Onesimus owed should be debited to Paul.
Paul looked forward to spending some time with Philemon and the church there. Paul sent greetings from his fellow workers.
Is Paul upholding the ancient institution of slavery in his letter to Philemon or subverting it in Christ?