Up to now Philemon has been personal compliments and encouragements. Here we read the reason Paul is writing to Philemon. In the original Greek, it reads as a play on words. The name Onesimus means useful or profitable. Paul is obviously hoping that his words will make the reader smile.

Paul was imprisoned in Rome under Roman authorities. But he did not consider that to be the reality of his situation. Paul was confident that Jesus was with him in any and every situation, and he made the most of them all. That is a challenge for many believers today.

This letter gives us a glimpse of the changes which are still ongoing in Paul. We see the old Paul, known for his aggression and religiosity, certainly not for his love! The new Paul is encouraging Philemon to take Onesimus back into his employ. We are all on the road.

In the first century, slavery was very much a part of life. A reality throughout the Roman world. Many were well treated, but others were not. Runaway slaves could face severe punishment and even death. So for Onesimus, (the runaway slave turned Christian), it was a life and death situation.

There seems to be a formula in this prayers for Philemon. Yesterday we saw that Paul thought of Philemon with gratitude. Today we see that he is praying for a deepening of understanding of what being a Christian means. Here Paul is praying for that witnessing to change Philemon himself.

Paul was obviously blessed by hearing from others that the faith of Philemon was strong. Just think for a moment how did people know that. Were they members of his house church? Did people outside the church talk of Philemon as a believer, or as one who followed The Way?

As a little girl, I was taught to say prayers at night on my way to bed. Usually short rhymes I had learned. In the summer I knelt at the side of my bed. But in winter I prayed between the sheets! No heating in our house in those days!

For God, peace was the opposite of fear. Jesus wanted His disciples to be able to step out of their worldly situations and feel His peace, whatever their circumstances. He wants us to do the same. His peace has been given and it is up to us to receive it.

If you were to wish someone grace and peace today, they would think you were a bit odd. Old fashioned (at least in our western world). Peace we understand, or we think we do, but grace is an old fashioned word, and not one that appears in our daily conversations.