Against the backdrop of slave relations, Philemon presents a picture of partnership in the gospel and for the gospel. More than their mutual affection for each other, Paul and Philemon act according to the partneship they share with the LORD in the Gospel of God’s grace. That sort of gospel partnership means that there is no slave or free, male or female. black or white. It means that each partner has responsibilities to live according to the gospel in our choices. And gosple partnership means that we partner with God. We are not then, the centre. God is. The plans are His, and not ours. And it will cost me everything.

Philemon Part 1: Partnership