Paul believes in keeping the main things the plain things and the plain things the main things. Stay with the grace that brought salvation to us through Jesus Christ and live good lives. He wasn't interested in debating small points of the law because they are a waste of time. Although the training he received earlier in life would have qualified him to be a world class bible debater, he knew that the time spent arguing could not be spent giving the life-giving word of God to a world that needed to hear it.
Philemon is a wonderful picture of truth and grace. The truth was that Onesimus had run away from his obligations. He had to return and make things right. But Paul, even while dealing with the truth aspect of the transaction, was seeking grace in the relationship. Drawing on his relationship with both parties, he acknowledges the importance of truth and encourages the undeserved blessing of grace. It is a great example of our grace relationship to Jesus and our relationships with those who need to find grace from us. Without one party being in a weak position, there is no opportunity for grace. We don't get to see how the story turned out. It is one of those mysteries that will be made clear in Heaven.
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