Because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints — the report of Philemon's love (agapē) and faith (pistis) directed toward both Christ and the community establishes his Christian credentials. The love and faith are not theoretical but active (echeis) toward concrete objects — the Lord and the saints. This character sketch prepares Philemon morally for the contradiction that follows: will he embody his professed love toward his runaway slave?

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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