In today's world it seems that entitlement has become the marching theme of many. “I am entitled to this” or “they are entitled to that” are more common phrases than this writer has heard in all his life. Yet that was not always the way. There was a time when people as a whole knew that they earned what they received, and any time there was some sort of benefit, it was considered a bonus or special appreciation for extra efforts. Paul the apostle understood the idea of such as he wrote to Philemon, and although he had the authority to demand, he rather asked Philemon for his cooperation. There is much to be learned by verse nine of Philemon where Paul wrote:
Yet for love's sake I rather beseech you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Yesterday we learned the position and authority of Paul as he could have been bold in Christ and simply told Philemon what to do, however Paul did not engage Philemon in this manner. Paul knew of Philemon's testimony among people and his love for God, and Paul knew that it would continue to promote Philemon's testimony for him to simply obey what was commanded by Paul. However, Paul did not exercise his authority. No rather Paul the apostle appealed to a higher motivation: love. “Yet for love's sake I rather beseech (call to one's side, call for, or summon, plead for) you”. Rather than demanding that Philemon comply, Paul simply asked him. Asking rather than demanding seems like a novel idea doesn't it, and my doesn't it conflict with entitlement?
Paul also appeals to Philemon on the basis of his age, “being such an one as Paul the aged”. Paul was now an older man which generally commands a certain respect. Paul is “Paul the aged” and perhaps Paul was in his early sixties at this time. Of course life expectancy at Paul's time wasn't quite what it is today, and early sixties was considered quite old. Nonetheless, Paul could have been authoritative in his position as an apostle and also an aged man to be respected, but he used neither venue.
Finally, Paul was also “a prisoner of Jesus Christ”. This is the second mention of Paul being a prisoner of Jesus Christ in this book, and we can see how Paul identifies with his subject matter before he mentions him. Paul asks Philemon to hear his request not as being an apostle or one superior in age, but rather as an aged soul whose very life was as a captive of Jesus Christ. What an intercessor Paul is! What a godly approach to helping others, and what a type of Jesus Christ who intercedes on our behalf. Jesus who has greatest authority, greatest respect, and greatest glory could have made demands, was indeed entitled, and yet He pleads on our behalf before the Heavenly Father. It should make us how we treat those who surround us. Are we are incline to intercede in humility on their behalf or do we pull rank, privilege and age? Perhaps we will discover more about ourselves as we meditate upon and apply this verse to our lives, and may others be the benefactors of our reflections.
Next time we shall see for whom Paul the apostle is making his appeal, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow... there is more...
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