1The salutation. 4Paul declareth his joy in hearing of the love and faith of Philemon; 8earnestly entreating him to receive into his favour his once fugitive servant Onesimus, now become a faithful Christian. 22He desireth him to provide a lodging for himself, who was in expectation of a speedy release; 23and concludeth with salutations and a benediction.
1PAUL, 1aa prisoner of Jesus Christ, and 2Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and 3fellowlabourer,
1 Namely, at Rome for Christ’s sake, Acts 28:16, 20. He relates here immediately his bonds, the better to move Philemon not to deny this his request.
a Eph. 3:1; 4:1.
2 This one is often joined with him in the superscriptions of his epistles. See 2 Cor. 1:1; Philip. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:1. Here he does it also, that the intercession of two might have the greater force.
3 Namely, either in the preaching of the Gospel, or that he did help to further the same by all good services, even as women are also so called in such a sense, Rom. 16:3.
2And to our beloved 4Apphia, and 5Archippusb our 6fellowsoldier, and to the church 7in thy house:c
4 It is very probable that this person was the wife of Philemon, who is joined because the business concerned her also.
5 This was a minister of the congregation at Colosse, Col. 4:17, and is here joined, because he would help to further the reconciliation of Onesimus by his presence and esteem.
b Col. 4:17.
6 Namely, in that war whereof the apostle speaks, 1 Tim. 1:18 and 2 Tim. 2:3.
7 This is to be understood of the house of Philemon, to whom this epistle is mainly written.
c Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15.
38Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 This is the usual salutation of Paul in almost all his epistles.
4 Id thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
d 1 Thes. 1:2; 2 Thes. 1:3.
5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward 9the Lord Jesus, and toward all 10saints;
9 This must be joined with the word faith, as the following words to the word love.
10 That is, believers, being yet here upon earth, who are sanctified by the blood and the Spirit of Christ.
6That 11the communication of thy faith may become 12effectual 13by the acknowledging of 14every good thing which is in you 15in Christ Jesus.
11 That is, your faith, which you have in common with us. Or, the communication of the fruits of your faith, especially your liberality which springs from faith. See Heb. 13:16.
12 That is, shows itself powerfully by the powerful operation of the same. See a similar place, 1 Cor. 16:9.
13 Gr. acknowledgment; that is, that everyone may thereby be made known that everything is good.
14 That is, of all christian virtues.
15 Gr. eis; that is, in Christ Jesus. Eis for dia, that is, through, as 1 Cor. 10:2. For, we have nothing good but by the gift of Christ and of His Spirit, John 15:5. Or, shown towards Christ. For, all the good that we do to the saints, Christ reckons as done to Himself, Mat. 25:35, etc.
7For we have great 16joy and consolation in thy love, because 17the bowels of the saints are 18refreshed by thee, 19brother.
16 Gr. charan, that is, joy. For which others read charin, that is, pleasure.
17 That is, the hearts. Hebraism. See verses 12, 20; 2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; 1 John 3:17.
18 Gr. were brought to rest. Namely, by your liberality shown unto them.
19 This friendly word he adds to it, thereby to express the greatness of his affection unto him.
8Wherefore, though I might be much bold 20in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
20 That is, by reason of my apostolic office, wherein the Lord Christ has placed me, and which Christ has furnished with such an authority.
9Yet for 21love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also 22a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
21 Or, rather beseech through love. This may be understood either of Philemon’s love towards Paul, or, of Paul’s unto him, which is most probable. For, this love is opposed to authority.
22 See verse 1.
10 Ie beseech thee for 23my son Onesimus, whomf I 24have begotten in my bonds:
e Col. 4:9.
23 Gr. my child. See 1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2:1.
f 1 Cor. 4:15; Gal. 4:19.
24 Or, engendered. That is, have converted by the Gospel.
11Which in time past was to 25thee unprofitable, but now 26profitable to thee and to me:
25 Namely, through his unfaithfulness, when he ran away from thee, and carried away something from thee.
26 It seems the apostle alludes to his name Onesimus, whereof see verse 20, which formerly indeed he had not made good, but it does now.
12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore 27receive him, that is, 28mine own bowels:g
27 That is, into favor and into your service.
28 That is, whom I heartily love; or, who is as dear to me as mine own heart.
g heart*
13Whom I would have retained with me, that in 29thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds 30of the gospel:
29 That is, in your stead, as who would account his services as if it was done by yourself.
30 That is, which I suffer for the Gospel’s sake.
14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that 31thy benefit should not be as it were 32of necessity, but willingly.
31 Gr. thy good, Hebraism.
32 Or, constraint.
15For 33perhaps he therefore 34departed 35for a season, that thou shouldest receive him 36for ever;
33 This word does not introduce any doubtfulness here, but mollifies what is said.
34 As such Paul mollifies Onesimus’ fault of running away, to reconcile him the better to his master.
35 Gr. for an hour, or short while.
36 That is, all his life long, Hebraism. For, seeing he was now become a pious Christian, he would not once think of running away again or of being unfaithful to his master. It seems that he has in some sort respect to the laws of perpetual bondage, Exod. 21:6; Deut. 15:17.
1637Not now as a servant, but above a servant, 38a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both 39in the flesh, and in the 40Lord?
37 That is, not only as a servant. For, he requests here no liberation, but only reconciliation.
38 That is, as a Christian, whom Christians ought to love, and who is dear to me.
39 That is, who concerning his outward and carnal state is subject to you, and will do you much service in the things which concern the outward matters of this life in the flesh.
40 Namely, who now also believes in the Lord Christ.
17If thou count me therefore 41a partner, receive him 42as myself.
41 Or, a co-partner. Namely, in the faith and also in the ministry of the Word.
42 That is, as you would deal concerning myself.
18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee 43ought, 44put that on mine account;
43 Thus he mollifies the misdeed of stealing or thievery with a general and milder word, as also verses 11, 15. In like manner Joseph also comforts his brethren, Gen. 45:5.
44 Namely, as if I owe it to you. Here we see what the word impute properly signifies, which by a similitude from suretyship is used in the doctrine of a man’s justification before God, Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3, etc.
1945I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even 46thine own self besides.
45 This is as a handwritten statement or obligation, in which he promises to pay for Onesimus the damage which he had done to his master, that the reconciliation might not be hindered for that.
46 Namely, forasmuch as by my preaching and instruction, I have converted thee to Christ and saved thee, for which great benefit thou owest me not only thy goods, but also thyself. And therefore thou oughtest not to desire this payment of me.
2047Yea, brother, let me have 48joy 49of thee 50in the Lord: 51refresh 52my bowels in the Lord.
47 The Greek particle nai is not only used to confirm the truth, but also to entreat; as also the Hebrew word ana or na, and the words I pray thee, I beseech thee in our language. See Mat. 15:27; Rev. 22:20.
48 Here he uses a Greek word from which Onesimus had his name, which is as much to say as profitable, or one from whom a man receives fruit, help, or joy.
49 That is this fruit or benefit from you.
50 That is, according to the command and the will of the Lord; or, in the Lord’s Name, for the Lord’s sake, unto Whom he is now converted.
51 See of this phrase verse 7.
52 This may be understood either of Paul himself, or of Onesimus, as verse 12.
21Having confidence 53in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
53 That is, that you shall hearken to me, and yield to my request.
2254But withal prepare me also ah lodging: fori I trust that 55through your prayers I 56shall be given unto you.
54 This he adds, in order that Philemon, understanding that Paul would come there himself, would not likely refuse this to him.
h Heb. 13:2.
i Philip. 1:25.
55 Which you make for my deliverance.
56 Shall be delivered by God through grace, and even as from death be given unto you again. See the like phrase, Acts 27:24; Philip. 1:25.
23There salute thee Epaphras,j my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
j Col. 1:7; 4:12.
24Marcus,k Aristarchus,l Demas,m Lucas,n my fellowlabourers.
k Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37; Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13.
l Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Col. 4:10.
m Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:10.
n Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11.
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be 57with your spirit. Amen.
57 Gr. with the spirit of you. See Gal. 6:18; 2 Tim. 4:22.