Philemon 1:22

He hopes to visit Colossæ

22. But withal Here is a different matter, yet not quite apart from the main theme. "There is a gentle compulsion in this mention of a personal visit to Colossæ. The Apostle would be able to see for himself that Philemon had not disappointed his expectations" (Lightfoot). And more; would not the joy of the prospect make "obedience" on Philemon's part doubly willing?

prepare The verb is in the singular.

a lodging The Greek may mean either "lodging" or hospitality. General Greek usage is in favour of the latter. The "hospitality" would no doubt be gladly provided in Philemon's own house; but St Paul, with his unfailing courtesy, does not askthis.

I trust I hope. He makes no prophecy, where none is authorized. Even when (as Romans 15:24; Romans 15:28) he speaks positively of his plans, it is with an evident reservation of "if the Lord will." The prospect of Romans 15 had by this time been much modified.

through your prayers which "move the hand of God," being all the while part of His chain of means. For St Paul's estimate of the power of intercessory prayer see e.g. Romans 15:30-32 (a close parallel); a Cor. Philemon 1:11; Philippians 1:19. Neither for him nor for the Colossians did the deep peace of self-resignation mean Stoic apathy, nor, surely, even the "indifference" of the Mystics.

I shall be given unto you With a noble naïvetéhe recognizes his own dearness in the eyes of his converts; he does not affect to think that his return would not be "a gift" to them.

Lightfoot cites Acts 3:14; Acts 25:11, for the use of the Greek verb in connexion with a person.