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Pasa Graphe' Theopneustos Kai Ophelimos (Greek) is one of the most often-repeated passages from the Scriptures, ie, the Bible. The passage appears in the heading of our Facebook page. But what does it say to us in our various tongues? Well, for those of us who speak English, this passage is a bold testimony from the pen of one Paul, a first-century scholar from the Isrealite tribe of Benjamin. It is also a statement steeped in the thelogy of the Biblical narratives. So, Paul wrote to a young ethnic Jew named Timotheus: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable......"
At the time Paul wrote those words, there was not yet a codex known as the "New Testament." The scrolls of papyrus on which were written the Scriptures are what we call today the "Old Testament." In its immediate and limited interpretation, Paul is saying that the messages in the Old Testament are inspired by God. That being so, who is the man who would say that the record of the flood in Noah's day was simply an allegory, and not an historical account?

Philemon

Philemon was a prominent Christian in the city of Colossae. In those days, wealthy people. usually owned slaves. Philemon was no exception. One of his slaves—Onesimus by name—escaped and somehow came in contact with Paul.

Onesimus was converted by Paul’s message that Jesus Christ was his Saviour from sin. But what should Onesimus do next? Remain where he was, or return to his master, Philemon, in Colossae?

Paul advised Onesimus to return to his master, and sent a letter with him, encouraging Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in the faith. This letter is now the book of Philemon in the New Testament, and is a masterpiece of tact and diplomacy.