Corpus-Paul

["Sheila E. McGinn, Ph.D." <smcginn AT jcu.edu>]

Gentlemen, IMHO it has nothing to do with the law "coming to an end." First
of all, we do not know from the letter itself that Onesimus in fact is a
runaway. Secondly, even if O. is a runaway, since he is carrying Paul's
letter to Philemon it seems to me that he is going voluntarily rather than
under duress. The Deut. Law, I would think, applies to returning the slave
in manacles or otherwise under guard, not sending her/him back on his/her
own recognizance. Jim, I'm glad you brought up the reference because it
helps explain why, if O. is indeed a runaway, Paul did not return him to P.
right away rather than keeping his whereabouts (apparently) unknown to P.
for some time. Sheila McGinn

 

-----Original Message-----
From: corpus-paul-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:corpus-paul-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Tony Costa
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:47 AM
To: corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org
Cc: biblical-studies AT yahoogroups.com; corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Did Paul break the Law?

Jim, I think Paul recognized that the Mosaic law came
to an end or was rendered inoperative with Christ
(Rom.10:4). Thus I don't think Paul saw the Mosaic law
as binding on the Christian any longer. Paul saw
himself as not being under the law, "though I myself am
not under the law" (1 Cor.9:20), but that he was under
a new law, the "law of Christ" (1 Cor.9:21)which I take
to mean the new covenant law.

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 10:25:40 -0500, Jim West wrote:

> 
> In Deut 23:15-16, explicit direction is given that if
a
> runaway slave shows 
> up on your doorstep you are not, under any
> circumstances, return said slave 
> to his owner.  In spite of this, Paul, in Philemon 12,
> tells Philemon he is 
> sending Onesimus back.
> 
> What gives?  Does Paul ignore this apparently quite
> humane legislation or 
> does he simply willingly break it?
> 
> Any literature is appreciated as well as are your
> insightful comments.
> 
> 
> Jim
> 
> ++++++++++++++++++++
> Jim West, ThD
> 
> http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com  Biblical
Theology
> Weblog
> http://web.infoave.net/~jwest Biblical Studies
Resources
> 
> 
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