Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear about your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ. For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Therefore, although I have great confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, instead I appeal to you because of love, since I am such a one as Paul, now an old man and also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.” (Philemon vs 4-9)

Paul’s letter to Onesimus is a very personal one. Onesimus was an escaped slave that Paul had run into in prison. Onesimus was now a believer and a great help to Paul. Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon – as was proper. He offered to pay for anything Onesimus owed him. He requested that Onesimus be allowed to return to help Paul. He didn’t demand it. He didn’t outright ask for Onesimus’ freedom. But Paul appealed not only to Philemon’s christian character, but also as one who had been instrumental in saving Philemon – not quite a pay the debt you owe me, but instead more of a please pay-it-forward if you can find it in your heart. It is a letter that reminds the reader about the virtues of visitation and hospitality, as well as respect for one’s elders. It is a letter that above all seeks reconciliation between Onesimus and Philemon – even if Paul’s further requests weren’t granted.

Verses 1-3 are Paul’s greetings. 4-7 are Paul’s prayer for Philemon. 8-21 lays out the situation and Paul’s advice about it as an senior to a junior. Verses 22-25 are Paul’s wrap up and final greetings.

“Although God spoke long ago in many parts and in many ways to the fathers by the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the world, who is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, sustaining all things by the word of power. When he had made purification for sins through him, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become by so much better than the angels, by as much as he has inherited a more excellent name than theirs.” (Hebrews 1:1-4)

No one knows who wrote Hebrews. It was probably Paul, but it could have been someone closely associated with Paul who thought the same way – perhaps Barnabas or Silas. Most scholars assume Paul, because the way of writing, the word choices, and the way of viewing Jesus’ superiority as Divine Son (God) and Last Adam (Man) is in alignment with the rest of Paul’s letters. Interestingly, although included in the ‘letters’ of the New Covenant, there is no formal greeting or ending. It doesn’t read like a letter, but there is no doubt it was passed around throughout the Messianic Jewish community – and probably to the Gentiles as well. There are themes of the Temple and the tabernacle in it. There is great respect for the scriptures and Judaism in general. Jesus is presented throughout the book as an integral part of Judaism. As the fulfillment and crowning achievement of the tabernacle and Temple system (the Law of Moses). Because of Temple references and the system of sacrifice under the Law, but no mention of the destruction of the Temple, it is believed the ‘letter’ was written between 64 and 68 AD – certainly before 70 AD when the Temple was destroyed. The theme that runs throughout the book is the superiority, the finality, and the fulfillment found in Jesus that is found nowhere else in Creation.

Chapter one describes and shows that God’s Son is superior in position to the prophets and to the angels.

Chapter two continues this argument and makes it clear that we must be very careful not to drift from this position. No matter how impressive the prophets. No matter how majestic looking the angels. They are both inferior to Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus is above all.

Chapter three begins to look at personages, not just classes of people/beings. Moses was a great leader and a HUGE influence on Judaic thinking. Joshua was a great leader and an important factor in the claiming of the Promised Land. They were both important, had real value, and were worthy of being emulated. But Jesus holds a position greater than them. There is also a warning about distrust. Of letting go of this revelation of who Jesus is. We have a share in Jesus’ inheritance as God’s own children IF we hold fast to who Jesus is. When we distrust the revelation or when we drift, we run the risk of being like the un-trusting Israelites doomed to wander in the desert until they passed on.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Paul

Key Verse(s): Philemon 1:17-22; Hebrews 1:5-8; 2:14-18; 3:1-15