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"No longer as a slave..."

Text: Philemon 16

A VERY STRONG APPEAL

The Apostle Paul went on to make a very strong appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.

“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.”
Philemon 16

1. “No longer as a slave”

a) This was the easier part.

b) Philemon can release Onesimus from being a slave legally.

c) Onesimus can become an emancipated slave; he could be set free.

2. “But more than a slave”

a) This was the harder part.

b) Paul was asking that Onesimus be treated “above the status of a slave”.

3. “A beloved brother”

a) This would be the most challenging part.

b) Onesimus was to be regarded like family.

i) A brother

ii) A beloved brother

4. “Especially to me”

a) Onesimus had proven himself well and had become a “son” to Paul.

b) Paul regarded him as “family” (a brother).

5. “But how much more to you”

a) Paul expressed great certainty that Onesimus would prove his worth to Philemon.

b) He would be all that Paul had said and more.

6. “In the flesh”

a) The challenge was to receive Onesimus as a beloved brother “in the flesh”.

b) This was no small challenge for Philemon.

7. “In the Lord”

a) Spiritually Onesimus was already “a brother”.

b) This is the privileged position of all who have truly come to faith in the Lord Jesus.