Authority Versus Love

Philemon 8-16

This could be titled; “Authority versus Love” for Paul is telling Philemon that in Christ he has the authority to command him to do what is required, yet for love’s sake he would prefer to appeal to Philemon.  What is taking place is of interest; it’s the story of Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon.  “It is implied that he robbed his master and fled to Rome v. 18, where he came under the influence of Paul and was converted (cf. v, 10).”  Taken from “The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible” page 1544.”

We could easily get lost in the story and fail to notice this issue of “Authority versus Love.”  When we stop and look at our culture, it becomes apparent that authority is under attack, whether it is in the schools, law enforcement, the home, or the church.  So the question that must be asked is; do those God has put over you in the body of Christ, (the church) have authority, the right to instruct you in what you should do?  You may want to first ask the question, where does authority come from?  The Scriptures give this insight to that question in Matthew 28:18, Jesus has risen and has encountered Mary Magdalene and the other Mary and gives them this instruction, tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee.  This is that meeting: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

The book of Ephesians also gives insight into the authority of Christ; “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” (Ephesians 1:22)  So if you accept the Bible as your authority, then you must agree that authority has its being in Christ.  So whom has Christ delegated this authority to? To his disciples, see John 20:23, the church in Matthew 18:18, and the church has the authority to deal with immorality that defiles the church in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.  The church has been given the authority to handle grievances against a member and it is clear that a brother or sister should not go to a civil court, but to the church leaders to settle disputes in 1 Corinthians 6:1-7.

When it comes to the authority of pastors, and they do have authority over the local body as seen in Hebrews 13:17, I believe that Barnes’ notes on the Bible handles this in a correct way; “Obey them that have the rule over you - Margin, guide; see notes on Hebrews 13:7. The reference here is to their religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. They were to show them proper respect, and to submit to their authority in the church, so far as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Saviour. The obligation to obedience does not, of course, extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of conscience. The doctrine is, that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church, and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord; compare notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.”

All authority is found in Jesus Christ and so it is a given, that authority is delegated from Christ to the government, to the leaders that have been put over you, and to His church.  Authority can compel, but love never does, love always gives the object of its love the choice, and that is what Paul has done with Philemon.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice