Wednesday, July 16 – Colossians 4, Philemon

1. Who delivered Paul’s letters to the Colossians, Ephesians, Laodiceans, and Philemon? (Colossians 4:7-9)9)

2. What message did Paul send to Archippus? (Colossians 4:17)

3. Who was Onesimus? (Philemon 15, 16)

Today, we’re reading the final chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae, a city near Laodicea. Paul writes to both churches, but the letter to Laodicea is not included in the Sacred Canon for the instruction and guidance of the church for all time.

Along with these letters, Paul sends a letter to the church at Ephesus and a personal letter through Tychicus, both chosen by God to be part of the Sacred Canon. The individual letter was addressed to Philemon, a wealthy brother converted through Paul’s ministry, who was active and devoted to the Lord. The church at Colossae met in Philemon’s spacious home.

Colossians 4 contains very timely and helpful pastoral counsel. One of these is: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:6, NKJV)

What a practical and beautiful piece of advice! It’s worth remembering and practicing consistently. Our words “always” should be “with grace,” meaning kindness, respect, and generosity. A definition of “grace” is “unmerited favor.” Even when someone may not deserve a kind word, grace offers it freely.

“Seasoned with salt” means our words should have flavor and not be bland or poorly prepared. Words seasoned with salt are timely, carefully thought out, and prepared, not the first thing that comes to mind or is spoken impulsively. “That you may know how you ought to answer each one,” is a worthy and necessary goal.

An excellent example of gracious, seasoned speech is Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul could have “told the truth” or been “sincere” by writing in a harsh or careless manner.

Instead, he writes to brother Philemon affectionately, exhorting and teaching him with gentle words.

Regarding the issue of slavery and why Scripture appears not to condemn it directly but instead offers counsel to slaves and masters, consider these points:

1. It’s difficult for us to fully understand the prevailing situation or context when this counsel was given.

2. Sin introduced practices never intended in God’s original plan, such as slavery, polygamy, and divorce. God tolerated these practices while also conveying principles that opposed them.

3. The purpose of the gospel and the church was not to engage in political campaigns to abolish societal injustices. The purpose of the gospel is to save humanity from sin. The purpose of the Bible and the church is also to instruct in God’s plan. When the sinner is saved and instructed, these practices eventually disappear.

This last point is evident in the letters to the Colossians and Philemon. Paul writes about Onesimus, the slave, to Philemon, the master:

“I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart.” (Philemon 12, NKJV) In other words: “Receive him not as a runaway slave, but as you would receive me.”

And he was to receive him: “No longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you…” (Philemon 16, NKJV)

Ellen G. White beautifully explains: “Christianity makes a strong bond of union between master and servant, king and subject, the gospel minister and the degraded sinner who has found in Christ cleansing from sin. They have been washed in the same blood, quickened by the same Spirit; and they are made one in Christ Jesus.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 368)

Onesimus was not only a runaway slave but also a thief. He fled to Rome, hoping to hide among the imperial capital’s crowds, but the gospel of Jesus found him there. Now, he served Paul with love and diligence.

Paul writes to Philemon in gracious words, “seasoned with salt”: “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay…” (Philemon 18, 19, NKJV)

Ellen G. White draws a powerful parallel: “What an example is here given of the love of Christ toward the repentant sinner! The servant who had defrauded his master had nothing with which to make restitution. The sinner who has robbed God of years of service has no means of canceling his debt. Jesus interposes between the sinner and God, saying: I will pay the debt. Let the sinner be spared; I will suffer in his stead.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 366)

May God grant us a clear understanding of His Word. May its principles and teachings influence our thinking and change cultural norms and mindsets that are contrary to His plan and purpose. May God be glorified in you and through your relationships with those outside the faith, using words of grace, well thought out, and “seasoned with salt.”

Have a very blessed day.