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I. THE DUTY OF FORGIVENESS.

1. An imperative gospel demand (Matthew 6:15; Matthew 18:21, 22; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:36; Luke 17:4; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; James 2:13). To fail in this is to seek judgment for ourselves.

2. Culture essential to its discharge. This virtue results from experience, trial, exercise. More natural for men to consider themselves ingenious as they are able to detect an injury, and manly as they promptly and energetically resent it. The vengeful spirit among the earliest revelations of childhood. A Child hurts himself in his efforts to walk; incipient revenge on table or chair. Parents often show how little they apprehend the virtue of forgiveness. The spirit of retaliation lives long within us. "Revenge is sweet" has become a hideous proverb. Louis XII said: "Nothing smells so sweet as the dead body of an enemy." We are supposed to have got beyond that. Yet what is the measure of grace within us?

3. Christian faith is equal to the demand. Intimate fellowship with Christ will "transform by the renewing of the mind." "Learn of Me," says Jesus; and "He that doeth His will shall know" (Colossians 3:12-16).

II. THE PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS. A model for imitation, whether God or man be approached. Contains —

1. Humble confession. Apostle, for Onesimus, assumes becoming attitude of an offender. But deals more tenderly with the offence than the guilty one himself could do. Apostle shows the part of the wrong-doer as well as of the wronged. On the one hand acknowledgment, which is a manly because a severe duty, as first steps towards moral elevation; on the other pardon, complete and absolute, as proof of sympathy with Christ, and in imitation of His example. Intention of Epistle missed if both obligations be not recognised. Only by confession can it be known that pardon is desired or deserved. Honest avowal to one who knows the Lord will —

(1) Insure success of suit. The spirit that would reprove will be disarmed.

(2) Restrain from future error. Memory of struggle to tell of sin and shame will strengthen in seasons of weakness and peril.

2. Implicit expectation (ver. 21). The whole spirit of the gospel warrants the expectation that wrong frankly confessed will, by him who is subject to the gospel, be freely forgiven. Vindictiveness alien to kingdom of Christ, as darkness to light. Christianity God's own protest against revenge.

III. THE LAW OF FORGIVENESS. The special instance of generous love solicited by apostle was claimed —

1. On the ground of friendship. A true fellowship gives right of mediation.

2. On the stronger ground of Christian relationship. Friendship had sprung from highest and holiest source, and was thereby intensified and glorified. Still more, Paul was the agent in Philemon's salvation.

3. On the strongest ground of Christ's will. "In the Lord," "In Christ Jesus," appear throughout.

IV. THE POLICY OF FORGIVENESS.

1. Each needs it himself. "Who is he that doeth good, and sinneth not?" Our necessity of Divine forbearance prohibits resentment.

2. Our wrong is against God. Customary to measure guilt by the rank of the person injured. Consequences of insolence and wrong not so serious when offered to a private person as when committed against a magistrate. Penalty greater still when the sin is against king. Act may be the same, but punishment gauged by dignity of offended person. How great the grace we claim when we pray "forgive"!

3. Aggravations of sin increase our need. Careful in reference to men, while unrestrained before God, whom we cannot see. These we fear, Him despise! His love despised, His Word, Son, Spirit. As, therefore, forgiveness is desired, forgive.

(A. W. Johnson.)

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KJV: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

WEB: I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,