"Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus" (Philemon 8-9).
In Paul's letter to Philemon he was writing on behalf of Onesimus. Onesimus was an indentured servant of Philemon's, who had ran off and apparently taken a few things which did not belong to him. Somewhere along the way Onesimus came to Christ under Paul's ministry. And after spending some time with Paul it was time for Onesimus to return to Philemon and fulfill his obligations. But Paul did not want Philemon to hold anything against him, but to receive him back as a brother in Christ. However, Paul did not want Philemon to do anything out of obligation, but for love's sake. Therefore Paul made an appeal to him rather than a demand. Paul could have commanded Philemon to do what he felt was right. But Paul's power and authority was tempered by love. It wasn't about imposing his will or his preferences. The appeal that Paul made sprung from love that was not about self interest, but the interests of others. Making appeals that are motivated by love rather than demands motivated by self interests opens the door for others to respond in kind. May all that we do be motivated by the love of Jesus to the glory of his name.
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