There have been many and varied approaches to the matter of authority over the years. Perhaps one of the most surprising was that of the Queen’s uncle, King Edward V111. His relationship with an American divorcee, who he wanted to marry, sparked a constitutional crisis. This ended up in him abdicating the throne rather than ending the relationship.

In this passage we find a startling approach to authority by the apostle Paul where he sets aside his authority and appeals to Philemon, in the matter of forgiving his runaway slave, on the basis of love. The slave, Onesimus, had become a Christian while he and Paul were in jail. Paul was not in jail for anything he had done wrong but for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We can learn 3 things about authority in the way Paul writes to Philemon, who had also come to Christ under Paul’s ministry. Firstly, authority should prefer to appeal rather than command. Secondly, authority should be willing to intercede. Paul uses paternal language in writing to Philemon about his slave. Thirdly, authority is willing to take the place of another. Paul had been willing to give up everything to everyone that they might come to Christ. It is a beautiful picture of how Jesus used his authority for us. He did this by going to the cross.