Why Does Not Commanding Serve Love? Philemon 8–14, Part 2
From Look at the Book by Desiring God
May 12, 2026
About this episode
Paul explores the deeper meaning of love versus obedience in his letter to Philemon.
Paul knows what he wants Philemon to do, but he chooses not to command it. Why? He wants something deeper than rote obedience: genuine love.
Topics covered
- love
- obedience
- Christian teachings
- Pauline letters
- Philemon
Keywords
- Philemon
- Paul
- love
- obedience
- Christianity
- spirituality
- genuine love
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Philemon
More episodes of Look at the Book
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- Epaphras: Founder, Pastor, Prisoner, Greeter: Philemon 23–25, Part 1 · June 6, 2026
- Paul’s Paradoxical Way of Being Refreshed: Philemon 18–22 · June 2, 2026
- Can We Always Know the Purposes of Providence? Philemon 15–17, Part 3 · May 30, 2026
- How the New Testament Transformed Slavery: Philemon 15–17, Part 2 · May 26, 2026
- Receive Onesimus No Longer as a Slave but as a Brother: Philemon 15–17, Part 1 · May 23, 2026
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