Theology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Theology - Case Study Example In case someone wishes to push this disease issue aside as an ancillary point, Paul suggest that his disease was remarkable and obvious enough that the disease drew the attention of everyone Paul is speaking to in Galatians (Chap.4, v. 14). Again, Paul draws specific attention in Philemon to his eye disease (Phl., verse 19) and his need for assistance to write. What follows in Philemon vs. 19-25 is of supreme importance since Paul says he’s writing it in his own handwriting (leading readers to believe the writing before verse 19 was transcribed by an assistant [Timothy] ). Paul cunningly ‘sells’ his idea by inferring a business arrangement with Philemon (verse 19) then reminding Philemon of what Paul has done for him (end of verse 19). Paul smartly suggest that as soon as he (Paul) is released he is coming to stay with Philemon (vs. 21-22) probably to make sure that Philemon does what Paul is implicating in this letter. One can easily see the ‘old’ Pa ul with his dynamic stubbornness and overbearing personality (the Paul who stood by as Stephen was stoned in Acts chapter 8) combined with a loving spirit given to Paul through Paul’s conversion. It is interesting to witness Paul suggesting to Philemon that his ‘slave’ Onesimus is actually considered by Paul to be Paul’s own son. Paul also uses his own imprisonment to show the unfairness of Onesimus’s continued imprisonment as Philemon’s slave. In effect, Paul is telling Philemon that by treating Onesimus differently than a just a Christian ‘Brother’ (and Paul’s own son) is to be acting like the ‘Keeper’ of Paul’s prison keeping Paul unfairly under chains. The implication of Paul’s argument is that Christians are all prisoners under Christ if we are Christians and to continue enslavement of Christian Brothers is almost like trying to subvert Christ Jesus’ position as leader. Specifically, Paul is suggesting to Philemon that by