The singular loftiness of the mind of Paul, though it may be seen to greater advantage in his other writings which treat of weightier matters, is also attested by this Epistle, in which, while he handles a subject otherwise low and mean, he rises to God with his wonted elevation. Sending back a runa... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And to Archippus our fellow-soldier_. He next adds “Archippus,” who appears also to have been a minister of the Church; at least, if he be the same person who is mentioned towards the conclusion of the Epistle to the Colossians, (Colossians 4:17,) which is not at all improbable; for the designati... [ Continue Reading ]
4._I give thanks to my God_. It deserves attention, that he at the same time prays for that very thing for which he “gives thanks.” Even the most perfect, so long as they live in the world, never have so good ground for congratulation as not to need prayers, that God may grant to them, not only to p... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Hearing of thy love and faith. _This praise, which he bestows on Philemon, includes briefly the whole perfection of a Christian man. It consists of two parts, faith in Christ, and love towards our neighbors; for to these all the actions and all the duties of our life relate. Faith is said to be i... [ Continue Reading ]
6._That the communication of thy faith may be effectual_. This clause is somewhat obscure; but I shall endeavor to elucidate it in such a manner that my readers may somewhat understand Paul’s meaning. First, it ought to be known that the Apostle is not continuing to give the praise of Philemon, but... [ Continue Reading ]
7._We have much grace and consolation. _Although this reading is found in the majority of Greek copies, yet I think that it ought to be translated _joy_; for, since there is little difference between χάριν and χαράν, it would be easy to mistake a single letter. Besides, Paul elsewhere employs the wo... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Wherefore, while I have great confidence in Christ to command thee_. That is, “though I have authority so that I might justly command thee, yet thy love makes me prefer to entreat thee.”... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Being such a one_. He claims the right to command on two grounds, that he is _an elder_, and that he is _a prisoner for Christ _He says that, on account of Philemon’s love, he chooses rather to entreat, because we interpose authority in commanding those things which we wish to extort by necessity... [ Continue Reading ]
10._I beseech thee for my son_. Since less weight is commonly attached to those prayers which are not founded in some cause of just commendation, Paul shows that Onesimus is so closely related to him as to afford a good reason for supplicating in his behalf. Here it is of importance to consider how... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Receive him, that is, my bowels_. Nothing could have been more powerful for assuaging the wrath of Philemon; for if he had refused to forgive his slave, he would thus have used cruelty against “the bowels” of Paul. This is remarkable kindness displayed by Paul, that he did not hesitate to receiv... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Whom I was desirous to keep beside me_. This is another argument for the purpose of appeasing Philemon, that Paul sends him back a slave, of whose services, in other respects, he stood greatly in need. It would have been extreme cruelty, to disdain so strong affection manifested by Paul. He like... [ Continue Reading ]
14._That thy benefit might not be by constraint_. This is drawn from the general rule, that no sacrifices are acceptable to God but those which are freely offered. Paul speaks of almsgiving in the same manner. (2 Corinthians 9:7.) Τό ἀγαθον is here put for “acts of kindness,” and willingness is cont... [ Continue Reading ]
15_For perhaps he was separated_. If we are angry on account of offenses committed by men, our minds ought to be soothed, when we perceive that those things which were done through malice have been turned to a different end by the purpose of God. A joyful result may be regarded as a remedy for evils... [ Continue Reading ]
_But above a servant, a beloved brother_. He next brings forward another advantage of the flight, that Onesimus has not only been corrected by means of it, so as to become a useful slave, but that he has become the “brother” of his master. _Especially to me. _Lest the heart of Onesimus, wounded by... [ Continue Reading ]
17_If, therefore, thou holdest me to be thy associate_. Here he lowers himself still further, by giving up his right and his honor to a runaway, and putting him in his own room, as he will shortly afterwards offer himself to be his cautioner. He reckoned it to be of vast importance that Onesimus sho... [ Continue Reading ]
18_If in any thing he hath done thee injury_. Hence we may infer that Onesimus had likewise stolen something from his master, as was customary with fugitives; and yet he softens the criminality of the act, by adding, _or if he oweth thee anything _Not only was there a bond between them recognised by... [ Continue Reading ]
19_Not to tell thee that thou owest to me thyself_. By this expression he intended to describe how confidently he believes that he will obtain it; as if he had said, “There is nothing that thou couldest refuse to give me, even though I should demand thyself.” To the same purpose is what follows abou... [ Continue Reading ]
20_Yea, brother_. This affirmation is used in order to increase the ardor of the exhortation; as if he had said — “Now shall it be clearly proved that there hath been no variance between thee and me, but that, on the contrary, thou art sincerely attached to me, and that all that thou hadst is at my... [ Continue Reading ]
22_But at the same time prepare for me a lodging_. This confidence must have powerfully excited and moved Philemon; and next, he holds out to him the hope of being gratified by his own arrival. Although we do not know whether or not Paul was afterwards released from prison, yet there is no absurdity... [ Continue Reading ]
24_Demas_. This is the same person who afterwards forsook him, as he complains in the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:10.) And if one of Paul’s assistants, having become weary and discouraged, was afterwards drawn aside by the vanity of the world, let no man reckon too confidently on the zeal... [ Continue Reading ]