New Testament -> Philemon
“The bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”—Philemon 7
Philemon for Skeptics
This short letter was written by Paul to his slave-owner friend, Philemon. Paul was writing about Onesimus, who he had recently converted, and who happened to also be a runaway slave belonging to Philemon. Since Paul was in a position of authority in the church, this would have been a great opportunity for him (and God) to condemn slavery—if he (and God) had anything against it, that is. But apparently he didn’t. Instead he returned the slave to his owner without so much as a word against the institution of slavery.
The only other thing of interest in this letter is the rather strange expression, “refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Okay, I know that Paul’s bowel trouble is mostly just an artifact of the King James translation. But it sounds too darned funny to pass up.
- The Bible:Philemon 1