Philemon 1:22

ἅμα δέ καὶ. Colossians 4:3.

Simultaneously (see Meyer) with the carrying out of my request and more (Philemon 1:21), be making arrangements for seeing me. Observe that the mention by St Paul of his coming soon to Colossae would in itself tend to ensure the welfare of Onesimus (cf. Chrysostom).

ἑτοίμαζέ μοι. The aorist would have suggested greater urgency, as though he were coming at once; the present is consistent with some delay. On Hort’s interpretation of this verse see the Introduction to Colossians, p. xlviii.

ζενίαν. Elsewhere in the N.T. Acts 28:23 only, of the apartment or house in which St Paul stayed when he first came to Rome. It was presumably different from the ἴδιον μίσθωμα of Acts 28:30, his own hired apartment. In the LXX. Sir 29:27 B* only.

The classical usage of the word is rather “hospitality,” but, apart from the Biblical evidence in favour of the other meaning (slight though it is), St Paul would hardly like to ask for this. On the other hand a “lodging,” or rather a “guest chamber,” would be much less to ask for, even though payment would not be expected, since it would be compatible with the guest finding his own food. St Paul probably, but not certainly, implied that it would be in Philemon’s house.

διὰ τῶν προσευχῶν ὑμῶν. Cf. of St Peter Acts 12:5 sqq. Observe ὑμῶν, returning to Philemon 1:1-3 (possibly also Philemon 1:6). St Paul knew that the prayers of all his friends, and indeed of all the Church, were going up for his release.

χαρισθήσομαι ὑμῖν. In Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13 bis χαρ. = “forgive,” but in Acts 3:14; Acts 25:11; Acts 25:16; Acts 27:24, “grant” as here. Observe that the stress is not on possession by those to whom the person is given, but on the free kindness of the Giver; cf. Aquila in Genesis 33:5.