Hi John,
I enjoyed the reading of Philemon last night. The feeling of it really shows Paul’s love and tenderness towards the brethren.
I wanted ask about verse 8. Your translation of that verse is more understandable than how it is written in the KJV. However, I was wondering about the meaning of “boldness” in that verse. I assume Paul was saying that he had total confidence in his authority to command Philemon to do the right thing, which makes perfect sense. Paul knew what Jesus had made him and he had the liberty to exercise his authority if he chose to do so.
Sometimes in modern English, boldness is perceived as arrogant or brassy, fearless. I don’t see Paul with that attitude at all. I see Paul being bold with humility and love for his fellow brethren, even courageous.
Another Scripture that has always made me curious where the word boldness is used is in Heb. 10:19.
“ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (vs 20) by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh…(22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscious, and our bodies washed with pure water (23) let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…”
Isn’t the point being made in these verses that we should have total confidence (boldness) in the new covenant, not relying on ceremonies and sacrifices but on Jesus our high priest and to exercise our liberty “by a new and living way”?
If you have any thoughts about the meaning of boldness in these verses I would love to hear them.
Thanks.
Tom
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Hi Tom.
Yes, Paul is talking about the confidence he has concerning who he is and the authority he has in Christ. That confidence is based on personal experience, and sure knowledge of what God did to him to make him an apostle, not on an ecclesiastical title bestowed on him by a religious institution. Such knowledge would enable Paul to be bold when he needed to be. He just didn’t need to be bold with Philemon, but for Onesimus’ sake, Paul mentions his authority. Paul had far too much confidence in Philemon’s relationship with God to use boldness.
Paul’s deep concern for Onesimus is the only reason he made mention of his authority. His deep love for that young man brought out some things in this letter that I don’t believe we would have ordinarily seen in Paul.
Pastor John