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"Though I might be very bold in Christ to command you..."

Text: Philemon 8

SENSITIVITIES IN RELATIONSHIP

Paul was well aware of his authority as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, being sensitive he never abused his rights. This is well exemplified in the following text:-

“Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you
what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you- being such
a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.”
Philemon 8-9

1. “Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ”

a) The inferential particle “therefore” is tied in with the phrase “in Christ”.

b) Paul was aware that he was an apostle in Christ.

c) He had every right “to command”.

d) Of course it is to command to do only what is “fitting”.

e) Paul cannot command anyone to do what is “not fitting”.

2. “Yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you”

a) Paul would not make any demands on his dear brother Philemon.

b) The chosen approach… “to appeal” or “to beseech”.

c) For love’s sake.

i) The love of Christ is in mind.

ii) The love that was evidently in Philemon’s heart.

iii) The love between Paul and Philemon.

3. A deeply personal appeal

a) From Paul

b) From Paul the aged

i) Paul was conscious of his old age at this point of time.

ii) This was a poignant appeal that would tug at the heart of anyone who truly loved this faithful and now aged servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

c) And now a prisoner of Jesus Christ

i) Paul was writing this letter of appeal from prison.

ii) He was conscious of the fact that his being a prisoner was for the sake of Christ.

iii) Yes, he was a prisoner of Rome, but only for the sake of the cause of the gospel.