This comes under the category of "Flattery will get you everywhere." Or "You get more flies with honey than with vinegar." As you Bible scholars know, this is the shortest letter from Paul in the entire New Testament — not much more than a post card, really. It is unquestionably bold in this attempt to get involved in a situation that could easily have provoked a response that this is none of his business — this is between master and slave, nothing more. Butt out! But on this one, Paul was in the middle. He almost had no choice but to say something.

Let me offer a bit of background. Philemon was a wealthy Christian of either the city of Colossi or Laodicia, depending on which commentator you read. The Apphia mentioned was probably Philemon's wife. Archippus was perhaps the leader of the "…