A Few Thoughts about Standards

A Few Thoughts about Standards

A standard

B1 Defined

C1 something that is considered to be a model for measurement or comparison or serve as an accepted authority. (Source)

C2 a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated (Source)

B2 Think how standards are applied in science, medicine, sports, finance, etc.

B3 It is a common language, in that sense, for measurement, medicine, pharmacology, etc.

B4 There are also standards for truth, morality, traffic laws, etc.

B5 If there are no standards, it results in chaos. How can a building be constructed when different standards of measurement are used?

B6 Imagine the chaos of making a movie or play if the actors do not follow the script.

There was a study done by the Barna group entitled Gen Z Vol 2 showing that moral relativism is the majority opinion of Gen Z. Many organizations wrote about these findings as Moral relativism is the 'majority opinion' of Gen Z, new study reveals.

The idea is that if both consent and it doesn’t hurt anyone, then what a person wants and does is OK. Sometimes we are not aware of the possibilities of being hurt until later. Choices have consequences. (The article mentioned that the majority hold the belief that there are many ways to God and salvation).

These people still submit to standards. It might be from force (coercion), financial coercion, pleasurable seductions or desires, intellectual, brain washing, etc.

People often do what is comfortable to the “me.”

There are those who have no standard but themselves. It is apparent that subjective opinion is their standard and standard of coming generations.

Chaos will be the result.

The Bible uses the word generations. The generations in the Gospels refer mainly to the Jews and can also be applied to all generations. Generations are described as being critical of others no matter what others do or say (Matthew 11:16-19), evil and adulterous (most likely referring to spiritual adultery but possibly physical (Matthew 12:39), wicked (Matthew 12:45), faithless and perverse (Matthew 17:17), sinful and adulterous (Mark 8:38), and rejecting Messiah (Luke 17:25).

Often, they exhibit characteristics as these in Proverbs 12:15 GNB Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

Self is first so states 2 Timothy 4:3 NLT For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

They will listen to what they want to hear.

For Christians (because it is a most reasonable faith, not blind faith), the standard is the New Testament plus principles and examples from the Old Testament. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

There will come a time and perhaps is now when 2 Peter 3:3-4 NRSV First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!

The Jews of Jesus’s days didn’t like His rules. They liked their interpretation of God’s rules. Luke 19:14 NRSV But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to rule over us.'

Chaos is what evil leaders plan and execute. Chaos and anarchy leave people crying out for help as they cannot solve these problems and fear. The solution is then applied. So, Hegel worded it—Problem, reaction, solution.

The benefits of a routine are numerous. Routine is a standard. A standard of morals brings similar benefits. People know what to expect, how to act, safety, etc. Consider:

B1 Why routines are good for your health

B2 The Importance of Routine in Childhood

B3 The Power of Routines in Your Mental Health

Standards is the design and wish from the Creator.

B1 He has a standard.

C1 Psalms 40:8 NRSV I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

C2 Compare Hebrews 10:7 and Matthew 26:19.

B2 He had a routine. Luke 22:39 NRSV He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him.

C1 It was His routine to pray after ministering during the day.

C2 This is a principle for us, too. After our day at work, we meet with our spouse, close friend, family, whoever will listen and can share the day of good and bad things.

Not having standards may lead to a death of personality, family ties, financial safety, etc.

B1 Proverbs 14:12-13 NRSV There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is grief.

B2 Consider Nabal in 1 Samuel 25:36-37 and Belshazzar in Daniel 5.

The importance of rules

B1 The reasons for rules are similar to routines.

B2 It leads to safety, knowledge of what to expect, tends to calmness, etc.

B3 Consider: Social Roles

B4 Importance of Bible interpretation is another important rule. This is so all can interpret the Bible equally as possible. See Hermeneutics: The Eight Rules of Biblical Interpretation

Psalms 119:143 NIV Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.

A Few Thoughts about Standards

necessity of rules, having standards

A Thoughts about Lust

A Few Thoughts about Lust

Lust is desire

Evil lust

B1 Sex, money, power, anything to satisfy sinful pleasures.

B2 The more one thinks about their pleasureful object, the more they want it, the more they seek it, and the more they will do anything to get it.

C1 They will seek in themselves. Some ways people work to get what they want.

D1 They will love bomb.

D2 They will manipulate.

D3 They will push boundaries.

D4 They will seduce.

D5 They will blackmail.

D6 They will lie.

D7 They will threaten.

D8 They will punish, abuse, use, control, etc.

C2 They will seek out others who have or do these things to help them.

C3 They will seek, even pay money, to pay those who supply such pleasures.

C4 They will turn to the devil and sell their soul.

B3 A list of some sinful pleasures. Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sins, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

B4 James 1:14-15 NLT Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

B5 These actions have consequences. No matter how one may justify them, there will be consequences in this life and the next. Romans 6:23 NKJV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Emphasis is mine]

Good lust

B1 Pastor

C1 1 Timothy 3:1 WEL This is a trustworthy saying, if anyone desires the oversight [of the church], he desires a good work.

C2 The qualifications, duties, attitudes, work, methods, etc. are given by God in 1&2 Timothy and Titus. Pragmatic and business models may bring numbers but are not usually in God’s plan. There are wrong motives, wrong goals, and many times fake results.

B2 Kingdom of God

C1 Matthew 6:33 GW But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

C2 To come. This is the kingdom where God rules. It is the kingdom of His worldview, lifestyle, and rules. It is the kingdom that brings, not necessarily happiness, which is temporary, but joy.

D1 Mark 1:15 EMTV and saying, "The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

D2 Galatians 5:22–23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

D3 Philippians 2:17–18 NLT But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

D4 Isaiah 61:10 GW I will find joy in the LORD. I will delight in my God. He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom with a priest's turban, like a bride with her jewels.

C3 To be lived. We can live a life of living according to sinful pleasures or a life of godly pleasures.

D1 Psalm 16:11 CSB You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

D2 2 Timothy 3:4 CSB ...traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...

B3 Souls be saved. There is pleasure and joy in

C1 God Isaiah 42:11 The LORD says, “Here is my servant, whom I strengthen— the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation. (GNB92)

C2 Angels (God’s angels) Luke 15:10 GNB In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.

C3 Humans Jeremiah 9:23–24 CSB This is what the LORD says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. 24 "But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the LORD, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the LORD's declaration.

B4 These derive from pleasures that glorify God and help others with or without gaining anything for ourselves.

Let us find contentment in what we have in this life, in our salvation, and in God’s promises for our future.

B1 1 Timothy 6:8 GNB So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us.

B2 Hebrews 13:5 NRSV Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.

B3 1 Timothy 6:6 NLT Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

B4 Isaiah 26:3 NLT You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

B5 Matthew 6:19-21 NLT Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

B6 John 5:24 NRSV Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

A Few Thoughts about Lust

lust, Christian life

A Few Thoughts about Luke 23:34

A Few Thoughts about Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34 EMTV Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And dividing His garments, they cast lots.

Jesus’s prayer does not mean that these evil people have the sins forgiven and are now enjoying fellowship with God in heaven.

These evil people deserved to be killed instantly, but Jesus prays that this not happen. He prays for them to live longer in hopes that they might come to their senses, repent, believe, and trust in Jesus for salvation.

These evil people knew He was Messiah. They just didn’t like this Messiah but looked for a warrior type that would deliver them from Rome and let them sin (practice religion as they interpreted it).

This ignorance is because they didn’t know what any Messiah was doing by dying nor what this crucifixion meant in the future for Israel and their souls.

There is no such thing as forgive and forget. If a sin has been committed, it needs to be punished.

We pray for their salvation, but no one is required to stay in abuse or any other crime.

It is OK to flee. King David needed to flee from Saul, Elijah needed to flee from Ahab and Jezebel, the early believers needed to flee, etc. They were persecuted, threatened, and abused; all of which are reasons to flee.

It is OK to divorce.

A Few Thoughts about Luke 23:34

forgiveness, forgive and forget

A Few Thoughts about Luke 20:41-44

Luke 20:41-44 WEL

41 He said to them, “How can it be said that Christ is David’s son?

42 “David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord [Hebrew Yahweh] said to my lord,’ “Sit at my right hand,

43 “Until I make your enemies your footstool [Psalm 110:1],”’

44 “Therefore, David calls him, ‘lord,’ how is he then his son?”

Jesus is speaking to the Jewish crowd in particular to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the scribes, and the influencers.

He has shown them for many months the proofs of His Messiahship authenticated by His miracles. They have rejected Him.

He asks a question of these experts in the Scriptures.

How can Messiah be David’s son? How can David’s son be David’s superior?

They never answered.

The quote is from Psalm 110:1.

The LORD is Yahweh. The lord is boss, a superior, one who has greater authority than King David. According to the context of Psalm 110, this “Lord” is greater than David.

Yahweh is saying to King David’s superior to sit at Yahweh’s right hand. This is the hand of greatest honor. The Messiah has greater honor than King David.

Messiah sits there until Messiah’s enemies submit to Messiah. Yahweh will accomplish this. Yahweh does not say how long Messiah was sit there before He begins to rule.

The greatest religious scholars of the day could not answer Jesus’s question because their method of Bible interpretation was incorrect.

In studying the context of the Psalm and Jesus’s message, it becomes clear that Psalm 110 is Messianic.

We learn

• Jesus authenticates His credentials of Messiahship but fulfilled prophecy, message, life, and deeds.

• Context is important.

• Truth is important.

• We can believe a lie or the truth. We can accept what is most reasonable or make excuses for the truth.

• We can have confidence that Jesus is Messiah.

The Jewish interpretation is here. (Note how they miss the context).

The Christians interpretation is here and here.

A Few Thoughts about Luke 20:41-44

Bible study, David’s son, Jesus

A Few Thoughts about Psalm 119_153-154

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. Psalms 119:153-154 NIV​​​​​​​

Two things to learn

B1 God’s blessings

C1 Come from obeying God’s law. Deuteronomy 28:2 NIV All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.

D1 The Psalmist, as any good Jew, would know of God’s promises that are found in God’s laws. Blessings come from obedience and curses come from disobedience. So, in his plea to God, the Psalmist mentions his obedience and understands that God will help him.

D2 We learn from the Lord Jesus that obedience to His worldview, lifestyle, and rules is because we love him. John 14:23 NLT Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

D3 We can’t expect God’s blessings unless we do what Jesus commanded by His teaching on life, rules, worldview, etc. These must be in thoughts, words, desires, and deeds in public and private. No one is sinless, but we can be blameless with God’s help.

C2 May be delayed, for example in the coming of Messiah, the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt, and the raising of Lazarus from death.

C3 God doesn’t guarantee our prayers will be answered according to our wishes. All His decisions are from wisdom, love, and holiness. He may decide to wait, or do differently.

B2 The Psalmist recognizes that true blessing comes from a standard. How can we know what is good and wonderful without an objective standard to judge it? Many have wonderful plans and visions for society, but how do we know if it is the best? Science can be manipulated, selfishness can corrupt (big business, etc.), and evil desires can override altruism.

Two things to remember

B1 God judges us by His standards. He is King of all kings and judge of all judges. Jeremiah 11:20 NIV But you, LORD Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

C1 The heart is the motives of what we do. We can do what is right but for wrong reasons such as deception, manipulation, etc.

D1 Matthew 23:23 NIV Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

D2 Matthew 7:21 NIV Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

C2 The mind is the attitudes. We can do what is right but with a bad attitude.

D1 Luke 11:39 GW The Lord said to him, "You Pharisees clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside you are full of greed and evil.

D2 Proverbs 20:6 AFV Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?

B2 God is the only defender of our lives.

C1 Life is more than breathing. It is the essence of every human. It is our humanness.

C2 We can rest contentedly.

D1 Matthew 10:28 NIV Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

D2 Hebrews 13:5 NRSV Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.

1 John 2:1 NRSV My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

John 14:16-17 GNB I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.

A Few Thoughts about Romans 12_9-13

Romans 12:9-21

This is a short list of Christian rules that must be followed. These are rules of God’s kingdom. They reflect His character, His worldview, and His lifestyle. Ephesians 5:1 NLT Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Romans 12:9-21 WEL

9 Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil. Stick tightly to what is good.

B1 Being genuine has the idea of heartfelt love, a love that is in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. It is not a love of words only or hypocritical love (saying one thing and acting one way in public, yet saying and doing differently in private).

B2 Hate is disgust. It is emotional. It is motivating. We are to hate evil. Good is God’s ways and evil is anything else.

B3 We are to remain, to continue, to persevere in love. This cannot be abused. We are to continue in love but if there is abuse and this passage is used to manipulate, then one must leave.

10 Cherish one another with brotherly love, in showing honor, outdo one another.

B1 Cherish is to value, to treat with kindness, to love another as we love ourselves (Matthew 19:19).

B2 Instead of honoring ourselves, we honor others. Instead of complaining about someone or trying to find fault, find and think the good. Nonetheless, we must be telling the truth.

11 Don’t be apathetic in religious zeal; be zealous in spirit; be serving the Lord.

B1 Zeal has the idea of being diligent to carry out what the Lord has commanded. Zeal would be starting, doing, and finishing without delaying.

B2 So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Ruth 2:17 NRSV

12 Be rejoicing in hope, be patient in tribulation, persevere in prayer.

B1 Hope is the expectation of a promise. Jesus is coming back is the promise. We look for Him today and every day is the hope. We rejoice that we have hope. Often, due to circumstances, hope fades, but let us look to fulfilled promises and lives of those who lived before when they trusted in God.

B2 Being patient is to endure quietly. Only by God’s grace can we do this.

C1 Job 6:11 NLT But I don't have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for. Compare Acts 27:20.

C2 I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. Revelation 2:3 NRSV

C3 God’s promises and His fulfilled promises of the past, give us hope today. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NRSV

B3 We pray and pray and pray. We become discouraged. Why should I pray anymore? But! Referring the Jesus, the author of Hebrews writes, who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 NKJV

B4 Prayer is worship. It is not scripted; it is genuine communication with our Father. Let us continue to pray.

C1 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2 NLT

C2 We are to walk with God. When we walk together, we talk together. No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT

13 Be sharing what you have for the needs of the saints; be given to hospitality.

B1 If we can help, do. First priority is our spouse, then children, then church family, then other Christians, and lastly those who are not Christians. We don’t neglect our family to give to strangers, but strangers need help, too. Let us be discerning.

B2 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Isaiah 58:6-7 NLT

14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless; do not curse.

B1 We need to be a witness. If we curse, the persecutor will expect that, but if we bless and pray for them, they will have a witness about God’s ways.

B2 When the trial of Sir Thomas More was ended, and he was judged guilty of death, being asked if he had anything to say, he replied: " My lords, I have but to say that, like as the blessed apostle St. Paul was present at the death of the martyr Stephen, keeping their clothes that stoned him, and yet be now both saints in heaven, and there shall continue friends for ever, so I trust, and shall therefore pray, that though your lordships have been on earth my judges, yet we may hereafter meet in heaven together, to our everlasting salvation: and God preserve you all, especially my sovereign lord the king, and grant him faithful counsellors." (H. O. Mackey.)

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

B1 There is a time to rejoice and a time to weep. Let us be wise to be good comforters.

B2 There is a need for empathy in these evil days. We can have this ministry to listen, to have compassion, and show kindness. But let us be discerning and not fall under their control or our emotions to bound with them.

16 Respect one another. Do not be inclined towards the upper class but condescend to those of lower status. Don’t be conceited in yourselves.

B1 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised. Galatians 3:28-29 GNB. Compare Colossians 3:9-13.

B2 A quote: Be on guard because pride stops people from seeing the truth and makes people think they are something or are better than others, which is not true. Always live with humility. Boast to everyone what Christ did on that cross for us. [Source]

17 Do not return evil for evil. Have it settled in your mind to be honest in everyone’s presence.

B1 Let God judge and sentence. His decisions are in love, wisdom, and holiness. We must always anticipate the possibility of repentance in others. Yet, if abused, leave.

B2 Truth is freeing; dishonesty is slavery.

B3 Robert Burns wrote, "An honest man's the noblest work of God." He was right. A man who is honest all round, honest. towards God, and honest towards his fellow-creatures, is the noblest work of God, When urged by his wife not to allow his conscience to stand in the way of fortunes Milton said, "I am resolved to live and die an honest man," Let us say the same, "Come gain or loss, come evil report or good report, come weal or woe, I am resolved to live and die an honest man. [Source is Biblical Illustrator-New Testament]

18 As much as is possible, live in peace with everyone.

B1 Sometimes we cannot, so we must leave.

B2 There is war, and there is peace. The world’s ways are selfishness, disorder, envy, fighting, etc. Yet, God’s ways are the opposite. God wants us to be a witness of God’s ways to those who are ungodly.

19 Dearly beloved, don’t seek revenge for yourself, but give room for the wrath [of God] instead, for it is written, “’Vengeance is mine; I will repay’, says the Lord.”

B1 Only God is truly and consistently just.

B2 Consider David’s actions when given the opportunity to kill King Saul in 1 Samuel 26:9-25.

20 Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him drink, for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head.

B1 Note the actions of Elijah in 2 Kings 6:8-23 especially When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He answered, "No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master." So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:21-23 NRSV

B2 We treats others so to give them opportunity to trust in Jesus. ...so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 NRSV

21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

B1 The summary is to overcome evil with good. It is a witness. It is for peace in our soul. Eventually, Jesus will return and complete the destruction of the devil and his ways.

B2 This is a spiritual war.

B3 In the Epistle of Paul to the Romans: “Rendering to no man evil for evil.” (Rom 12:17) Also in the same place: “Not to be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:21) Of this same thing in the Apocalypse: “And He said unto me, Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book; because now the time is at hand. And let those who persist in hurting, hurt: and let him who is filthy, be filthy still: but let the righteous do still more righteousness: and in like manner, let him that is holy do still more holiness. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his deeds.” (Rev 22:10-12) [Source is The Treatises of Cyprian. Treatise XII. — Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews. Third Book. Testimonies].

The Christian is a new creation with a new citizenship, a new worldview, and a new lifestyle. God is the king, and these are some laws of His kingdom. We can apply this promise—do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NRSV

Philemon

B1 Setting (verses 1-3)

C1 Paul is in prison for being a Christian and preaching the Gospel. Most understand this to be his first imprisonment. This after his 3^rd missionary journey and his 2-year imprisonment at Caesarea on the coast. The current imprisonment was the house arrest mentioned in Acts 28 and was his first Roman imprisonment. It lasted about 2 years in the early 60’s AD. Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians were also written during this time. If you want, there is a timeline and some more about Paul here (I don’t know anything more about that website).

C2 Paul doesn’t address himself as apostle because this letter is a personal letter.

C3 Philemon is a wealthy man probably living in Colosse. He was a convert to Jesus Christ.

C4 Onesimus is a slave. He ran away from his master, Philemon. Two articles about Roman slavery—here and here. Onesimus had run away to Rome where he heard the gospel and was converted.

C5 The church/fellowship met in the house of Apphia our sister and Archippus.

B2 Philemon’s faith (verses 4-7)

C1 Philemon’s life of love. This is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not the general condition of humanity. Paul specifically mentions Philemon’s love for fellow believers and his faith.

C2 Paul prayed that Philemon’s Christian faith and life would increase. We are called to do good works which glorify God. See Romans 15:6-9, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 2:12, etc.

C3 Philemon’s life was a ministry to Paul and the others. Paul mentions joy, encouragement, and refreshing of the others. Compare 1 Timothy 1:5 and 1 John 3:17-18.

B3 Paul pleas for Onesimus (verses 8-22)

C1 Paul makes an appeal not give an order. A principle was needed to learn when dealing with others.

C2 Barclay (use caution) writes on this verse:

It is significant to note that Paul claims that in Christ the useless person has been made useful. The last thing Christianity is designed to produce is vague, inefficient people; it produces people who are of use and can do a job better than they ever could if they did not know Christ. It was said of someone that "he was so heavenly-minded that he was no earthly use." True Christianity makes a man heavenly-minded and useful upon earth at one and the same time.

C3 God gives us and desires us to have an efficient faith. See 2 Peter 1:5-8 and James 2:14-26 (this passage does not deal with saving faith; it deals with efficient faith. This is a working faith. One can be saved but not have an efficient faith in this life instead has a neglected faith).

C4 Paul is making an appeal to not punish Onesimus, which is legal under Roman law, but rather show mercy as God has shown Philemon.

C5 Paul states that he will reimburse Philemon monetarily anything that was lost, stolen, damaged, etc. by Onesimus.

C6 Paul also makes an appeal for a place to sleep for a time.

B4 Paul’s closing words (verse 23-25)

C1 Some fellow believers send their greetings.

C2 Paul prays that God’s grace would be on Philemon’s life.

B5 We learn

C1 Making an appeal is better than an order. This is the appeal of a lesser to a greater.

C2 Faith must be practiced and lived, not just a onetime experience.

C3 There are many blessings in believing and living God’s will. Society will improve; families will improve, and individuals improve and have a better and greater peace in their lives.