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Enjoin or Beseech? |
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| When Paul wrote to
Philemon to receive Onesimus, a runaway slave who was returning, he could
enjoin (direct by authority) him to receive him. But he chose to beseech
(beg, request) him to do so out of love as brethren. This was because he
wanted Philemon to do this deed "willingly" (verse 14). Either
way he wanted Onesimus received, but he wanted the love that must exist
among brethren to prevail.
In fact, Paul was confident Philemon would do even more than requested (verse 21). The tie that binds brethren together is strong and should not be broken, or even strained. It existed with Paul, Philemon, Onesimus and others named in that little epistle. It should exist among us today. Agree? |
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