Philemon 1:8

The first word "wherefore" links this section of the letter with the previous seven verses. They were not preliminary small talk before getting down to business. The plea Paul would make was based on what had gone before in the letter. Both Paul and Philemon enjoyed the vital link "in Christ." Paul now moves carefully toward the main point of his letter. His method could well be imitated. We need to be careful in approaching one another.

It was in this spirit the apostle wrote, "Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I rather entreat." To command what is right is not wrong in someone with the proper authority. But grace respects law in its own sphere, while acting far above law in a sphere of its own. In that sphere Christ is the centre and the fullness — the object, the pattern, and the motive. So the apostle puts love forward, whatever the rights of his position, and this even "in Christ." He only begs a man who, like himself, knew his incalculable debt to the love of God in Christ our Lord.

The first thing that strikes us in Paul is his unwillingness to use the authority that was rightly his. He had the liberty in Christ to command. But he preferred to appeal in grace to the one who had suffered wrong. This is very beautiful. Paul shows none of the presumption of "Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority." He is truly humble and unpretentious.

In verse 8 Paul writes of being "bold in Christ" to enjoin what was fitting in relation to Onesimus. Onesimus was Philemon's slave, and he had run away from his master. But the apostle led him to Christ in Rome. What Paul was about to ask for, he asked with Christian boldness. He was asking for Christ's sake, not for any personal favour for himself. How good it is when we ask for Christ's sake! We may ask the Father, the source of all, or any of His own whom He has enriched.

He would not stand on the position the Lord had given him in the church... Suppose he had sent back Onesimus with an apostolic order. No doubt it would have been obeyed, and the runaway pardoned and reinstated. But would this have satisfied his heart? Where then is the precious display of the grace of Christ? That grace rises above everything, even the deepest evil. It not only forgives but welcomes the wrongdoer to its heart for ever... He would not command, but begged; he names his authority, only to set it aside in a case like this.

Paul therefore could not give up his apostleship. But he was free to act in grace, and to take his stand on what he had in common with Philemon and the whole church — brotherhood in Christ Jesus. And here, instead of an authoritative command, he could "beg."... It is important to notice how our gracious Lord keeps giving us chances to show grace. He rarely speaks to us in the tone of authoritative command, saying, "Go," "Do this." Instead it is, "here is My mind" — go and carry it out as far as you can.

You can never demand or claim grace. In writing the letter to Philemon, the apostle brings motives of grace to bear on the case. He does not dictate what Philemon was to do. He reminds him of his heavenly relationship, and leaves it to Philemon's grace.

Notice too the tactful and delicate way in which he introduces the subject of Onesimus, in verses 8 to 10; begging where he might have used apostolic authority and commanded; presenting Onesimus as his spiritual son, given to him during the time of his trial in his captivity — a consideration well calculated to move the heart of Philemon.