Philemon/Proverbs 19

Philemon was written to a prominent member of the church at Colossae between 60-62 AD, while Paul was awaiting his hearing before the emperor in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30-31).  Some background on the book can be found here.  Finally, do not confuse slavery in the Roman Empire with slavery in the United States. Roman slavery differed from American slavery in several important ways: 1) Roman slavery was not race-based; slaves could come from any race and were generally captives from Roman wars. Parents in dire economic straits could also sell their children into slavery. 2) Roman law had a process called manumission by which slaves could gain or be given their freedom.  These freed slaves were granted all rights of citizenship excepting the ability to hold public office, and the children of freed slaves were granted the rights of citizens in full. 3) Roman law increasingly provided for the legal rights of slaves.   American slavery, in addition to being cruel and degrading, is especially reprehensible for its discriminatory nature and its denial not only of basic rights to those enslaved, but its denial of their humanity as well.  This travesty is documented (to our shame) in the Constitution, where slaves are counted as 3/5ths of a person.  It is disgusting that this could ever have taken place in a nation full of Christians when pagan Rome had a much better record.

1   "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus..." As opposed to a prisoner of Rome.
6   I think it is interesting that Paul connects sharing our faith with understanding our blessings in Christ.
18   How cool is it that Paul offers to take the burden of Philemon's loss upon himself?

Proverbs 19
19:3   I unfortunately resemble this remark from time to time.
19:11   Great commentary on the importance of forgiveness
19:13   "...A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping," and both problems can be solved with a large, heavy pan.
19:18   A lot of parents apparently haven't read this one.
19:21   This restates 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
19:24   I've always found this one hilarious.