I, Paul, write this with my own hand:I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ our
Lord” (Philemon 1:19-20).
I find Paul’s words to Philemon interesting, “Yes brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord”. Paul evidently led Philemon to Christ, or perhaps Paul’s influence in government had benefited Philemon in the days before Paul became a Christ follower. Either way, he is reminding his friend that his friend owed him a great deal.
But notice, Paul is not requesting for himself, but is pleading on behalf of another. Paul is even willing to pay Onesimus’ debt. Paul is not manipulating as much as he is reasoning with a fellow believer.
Sometimes we believers can react to situations without taking the time to seek spiritual understanding. When we do this we open ourselves up to personal pain in destructive consequences.
