Today, I am reading and commenting on Titus and Philemon
Paul here gives Titus advice on the qualities to be sought in those chosen as leaders of the Church, and that advice is very similar to that which he gave to Timothy. Paul tells us that those chosen for leadership positions must be blameless. They must not be overbearing, nor quick-tempered, nor violent, nor given to dishonest gain. On the other hand, they must be hospitable, self-controlled, upright, and disciplined. I find it interesting that on both the “must not” list and the “must” list Paul lists two things which are almost synonyms for each other. He says that they must not be either quick-tempered or violent, and that they must be both self-controlled and disciplined. Not only are these things synonymous with the other one listed on the same list, they are also almost exactly opposite of the two on the other list. I think this gives us a good idea about how important these characteristics are in a leader. I think we can see why Paul thought they were so important in some of his other instructions to Titus. He tells Titus to encourage others by sound doctrine while refuting those who oppose sound doctrine. Further Paul tells Titus, and us, that he, and we, should act so as to embarrass those who oppose Christ because they have nothing bad to say about us. Every time I read the qualifications which Paul lays out for a leadership position in the Church I am struck that each of us should strive to exemplify those qualities.
In the second passage I am looking at today, Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, who was, apparently, a slave who ran away from Philemon, his master. Paul seems to suggest to Philemon that he should give Onesimus his freedom, without using his authority as an Apostle to order it. Paul also tells Philemon to bill him for any losses Onesimus may have caused him by running away, and perhaps before running away. I get a hint that Onesimus may have run away from Philemon because he had done something which cost Philemon a lot of money and feared Philemon’s retribution. Whatever the cause of expense to which Paul refers, he reminds Philemon, and us, of the importance of forgiving those who wronged us. While Paul reminds Philemon of how Philemon owes him, I think he intends that reminder to remind each of us how much we owe God. Our debt to God is much greater than any debt which our fellow humans may owe us. Whatever good we have done them, and whatever harm they have done us, is but a smidgen against the great good which God has done for us.
I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.
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