""Paul, a Prisoner for the Sake of Christ Jesus,"" poetry

Introduction

Paul, in Rome, commends Philemon, a Colossian (from Colossae), as an example in "faith and...love" (Phm 5) and hospitality (Phm 22). But Onesimus, a slave who ran away from Philemon, his master, learned the way of Christ from Paul, and soon become a Christian. Had Onesimus robbed his master, to finance his runaway plans? We don't know.

At any rate, the stage has reversed. Although Onesimus had been a liability for Philemon, he has become a spiritual asset for Paul, as a faithful (and honest) Christian brother and companion. The social order of the land requires that Onesimus return to Philemon, which Paul supports (Col 4:7-9), although reluctantly.

That said, he writes to Philemon: "I am confident that you will comply (referring to Onesimus' need for forgiveness), so I am writing you, knowing that you will do even more than what I say."-Phm 21. Does Philemon forgive Onesimus? Given this personal letter from Paul, how could he not?

The author

Dan Lukiv, published in 19 countries, is a poet, novelist, columnist, short story and article writer, and independent education researcher (hermeneutic phenomenology). As a creative writer, he apprenticed with Canada's Professor Robert Harlow (recipient of the George Woodcock Achievement award for an outstanding literary career), the USA's Paul Bagdon (Spur Award finalist for Best Original Paperback), and England's D. M. Thomas (recipient of the Cheltenham Prize for Literature, Orwell Prize [biography], Los Angeles Fiction Prize, and Cholmondeley award for poetry). He attended The University of British Columbia (creative writing department), the acclaimed Humber School for Writers (poetry writing program), and Writer's Digest University (novel writing program).