“…yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ…”
being such a one as Paul, the aged,
Paul appeals to Philemon’s love on the basis of his age and situation as a prisoner – “such a one.” Older men could appeal to others with authority based on their age as a veteran in the cause of Christ. Older men were considered wise, and authority came from wisdom in the first century.
and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ
Paul’s mention of his imprisonment is an appeal to Philemon to release Onesimus to help Paul in prison.
PRINCIPLE:
Respect for those mature in Christ is to the benefit of all who draw on their wisdom.
APPLICATION:
We do not respect troubadours for the cause of Christ like we should in our day. This is to our own loss.
