PHILEMON—NOTE ON Philemon 1:8 Paul’s Appeal to Philemon for Onesimus. Paul makes his appeal by first describing the remarkable change that has happened to Onesimus (vv. Philemon 1:8). He explains how helpful Onesimus would be to him in his imprisonment (vv. Philemon 1:13). Paul then suggests that God has been sovereignly involved in this situation, so that Philemon may receive Onesimus back now as a fellow Christian (vv. Philemon 1:15). Onesimus will therefore be all the more useful to Philemon. He concludes with a direct appeal that Philemon receive Onesimus back as he would receive Paul himself (vv. Philemon 1:17).

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