Loading…

The Letter to Philemon is unavailable, but you can change that!

Paul’s letter to Philemon carries a strong message of breaking down social barriers and establishing new realities of conduct and fellowship. It is also a disturbing text that has been used to justify slavery. Though brief, Philemon requires close scrutiny. In this commentary Scot McKnight offers careful textual analysis of Philemon and brings the practice of modern slavery into conversation...

to the increase of his estate.”64 Columella’s insight into human nature and giftedness notwithstanding, his blindness to the morality of slavery was typical. Slaves were slaves; masters were masters. The injunctions to loyalty and obedience need to be seen for the social structure they maintained, and hence the early Christian instructions for slaves to be obedient deserve warning.65 Many slaves were captives of war.66 Others had been rescued from exposure.67
Page 18
Buy this book at Logos.com