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Philemon 1:20
20 Yea [nai], brother [adelphos], let [oninemi] me [ego] have joy [oninemi] of thee [sou] in [en] the Lord [kurios]: refresh [anapauo] my [mou] bowels [splagchnon] in [en] the Lord [kurios]. KJV-Interlinear
20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. NASB
Paul uses a little play on words here. The word for joy, ‘oninemi,’ comes from the same root as the name for Onesimus. Whereas Onesimus once meant useless and came to mean useful, so too, then when one gains usefulness from life, that translates into joy and happiness.
This result depends on the actions of Philemon.
The request has been submitted by Paul, and it remains for Philemon to agree and grant the request.
Paul has evidently been quite taken by Onesimus. Quite possibly his personality, his attitude, his complete change of character as indicated by the meaning of his name, have all reflected quite a phenomenal change in Onesimus due to his response to Pauls teaching.
So much so, that this result has had a tremendous impact on Pauls feelings with regard to these events.
Now a quick lesson in spiritual principles.
When every person complies with Gods mandates, then everyone wins. The synergy of the thoughts and actions of obedient believers multiplies the blessings exponentially.
History has given us several examples of this.
When the angels were first created, there was phenomenal harmony and happiness. The universe was created perfect. Something that we as humanity have no record of, nor have we been able to see it for ourselves. Disobedience came along and that ruined it for everyone. The universe is huge, by the way.
Adam and Eve were created, and in obedience they had the Garden of Eden, a perfect paradise. Again, only Adam and Eve saw this perfect paradise. Neither you, nor I, nor anyone else in human history have seen it. Disobedience came along and ruined it all.
Back in David’s day, freedom and prosperity came along with his military victories against the enemies of Israel. Solomon enjoyed a period of peace and phenomenal prosperity. Solomon was wealthy beyond imagination. Disobedience came along and that generation, and the generations to follow, lost their wealth, their prosperity, and eventually their freedom.
At the Second Advent, Christ will defeat evil, and launch a period of 1000 years of peace and prosperity for the Millennium. But again, disobedience will enter into the human race and a great rebellion will erupt at the end of the Millennium. The universe will be destroyed.
At the end of human history, which is at the end of the Millennium, this universe will be destroyed and a new universe will be created for believers. This phenomenal peace and prosperity, etc., will continue on forever, because there will be no further disobedience toward God and truth.
Oh, do I dare mention our current economic problems? And the reasons for them? Is there any indication as to which direction prosperity or disaster might take? Hummm!
Suffice to say, the key to history is Jesus Christ and mans attitude toward Him. Jesus Christ is the living word. The Word is truth, and pursuit of truth leads to blessings. Disregard of truth leads to disaster.
And, by the way, truth is not something that you can arbitrarily define yourself. God is the source of truth and truth has well defined principles that guide it.
Truth protects the rights of the individual and promotes freedom, prosperity, happiness, etc.
Lies seek to remove these things.
When believers comply with Gods mandates, which are the principles of truth, then they win.
When believers disregard Gods mandates, then they lose.
What part of that is not clear and understandable?
