Does Christian brotherly love really work, even in situations of extraordinary tension and difficulty?
Philemon (New Testament person) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Does Christian brotherly love really work, even in situations of extraordinary tension and difficulty? Will it work, for example, between a prominent slave owner and one of his runaway slaves? Paul had no doubt. The apostle writes a “postcard” to Philemon , his beloved brother and fellow worker, on behalf of Onesimus —a deserter, thief, and formerly worthless slave, but after his conversion in Rome , now Philemon’s brother in Christ . With much tact and tenderness, Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back with the same gentleness with which he would receive Paul himself. Ordinarily, a runaway slave would be treated harshly; but Paul carefully reminds Philemon that, in Christ, he is now a fellow heir to the grace of God. Any debt Onesimus owes, Paul promises to make good. Knowing Philemon well, Paul feels confident that brotherly love and forgiveness will carry the day. Philemon was likely one of Paul’s converts and ha