Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | June 2, 2018
A friend asked how seriously we should take “The Church Fathers”. I answered that we usually take them seriously when they agree with us! Sometimes they were right on target; others times far from the original practice. In reading a book on the art and iconography of baptism, the author shows the post-1st century church […]
PHall | October 12, 2009
Prison – not a pleasant subject, but nevertheless still a former or current reality for some believers. Others – never imprisoned – should have been, but escaped their proper penalty due to either God’s gracious attention or man’s negligent inattention. Most, if not all, of us are nevertheless in prison – and that is the […]
PHall | October 7, 2009
Paul’s Writing Style (James MacKnight, MacKnight on the Epistles, pp.26-27) 1. “In the first place, a concise unadorned style in preaching and writing, though accompanied with some obscurity, was, in the apostle’s situation, preferable to the clear and elegant manner of writing practiced by the Grecian orators… (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4).” 2. “In the […]
PHall | September 30, 2009
Vv.1‑3 ‑ Salutation 1 Paul, a prisoner [Paul does not assert his apostolicity as is his practice (see Intro. Style). He does not want to overbear Philemon with authority. This is a personal letter and Paul is reaching for the element that is stronger than authority – Love and fellowship. Is there also an […]
PHall | September 30, 2009
Love & Example Is Stronger than Authority Let us never forget love is stronger than force. Force relies on the weakness of one; love relies on the strength of two. Commendations are a frequent happening with Paul. If there is good to be announced, he blows the horn. Letting others know of “beloved” brothers and […]
PHall | September 30, 2009
Prison – not a pleasant subject, but nevertheless still a former or current reality for some believers. Others – never imprisoned – should have been, but escaped their proper penalty due to either God’s gracious attention or man’s negligent inattention. Most, if not all, of us are nevertheless in prison – and that is the […]
PHall | September 30, 2009
V.22 – At the Same Time Prepare for Me a Lodging If you ask someone to do you a favor and then tell them you hope to visit them, you gain the psychological edge. They know they have to succeed because you will be there to witness their efforts. This is the position in which […]
PHall | September 30, 2009
V.21 – More Than I Say “Whether Philemon pardoned Onesimus, or punished him, is not known. Only, from the earnestness with which the apostle solicited his pardon, and from the generosity and goodness of Philemon’s disposition, we may conjecture that he actually pardoned Onesimus, and even gave him his freedom, in compliance with the apostle’s […]
PHall | September 29, 2009
V.21 – Having Confidence in Your Obedience Whenever we tell someone that we have confidence in them and that we believe they will exceed what we request, we gain a psychological edge. And yet it cannot be stressed too emphatically that any edge that Paul sought after was not for his own personal benefit, but […]
PHall | September 29, 2009
V.20 – Refresh my heart Already mentioned by Paul was Philemon’s refreshing of the saints (v.7). Paul is now asking for the same “benefit.” This has both a physical and spiritual application. It seems Paul is asking for the return of Onesimus which would be a physical benefit. The spiritual is twofold: 1) That Philemon […]