Onesimus

So, after a rousing offline discussion last week that started to lead back to the theme, or one of, the BoJ, "Jerks can't go (be) to (in) heaven...*" we return our** focus to something a bit less controversial***. Something that is a common theme throughout the Bible.

Chapter one, verse 1 of the Revelation of John leads us to our first aside. "To show his servants."

WILLING SLAVES, NOT SERVANTS

“Servant” from Greek doulos “slaves.” The connotation is often of one who has sold himself into slavery; in a spiritual sense, the idea is that of becoming a slave of God or of Jesus Christ voluntarily. The word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. The most accurate translation is “bond-servant” in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another (NET note). A slave no longer has a will of their own, their time and will belong to their master. We must surrender to God. People referred to as doulos, or the similar Hebrew ebedh, in the Bible include: Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, Moses, David, Elijah, and Paul, James, and Jude all proclaim themselves to be slaves of God (Titus 1, James 1, Jude 1).

What does this say about the greatest men in the Bible?

What about Onesimus? In Philemon (uh... Chapter 1... the only one), Paul sends Onesimus, a slave--presumably a bond servant, back to his master, Philemon, to whom he owes his servitude, and thus pay his debt. Paul sends Onesimus back to rectify his relationship with Philemon, and to receive forgiveness. Paul asks for Philemon to mark Onesiumus' debt as 'paid in full' by Paul. What metaphor does this remind us of? Do you think this is the message of Philemon? What is Paul doing?

See NET translation notes for more info on 'doulos.'
*Because, it wouldn't be heaven if jerks were there. Why do you think Jesus exhorts us the way he does, yo?
**The two of you reading this
***Slavery less controversial? Slow down Jamaal! But remember... focus on eternity here. (I don't want ya'll to think I'm pulling a Lou Holtz here.)