Philemon 1:1

δέσμιος Χρ. Ἰησ.: to St. Paul an even more precious title than the usual official ἀπόστολος Χρ. Ἰησ.; cf. Philemon 1:13, ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς τοῦ εὐαγγ., “they were not shackles which self had riveted, but a chain with which Christ had invested him; thus they were a badge of office …” (Lightfoot) This title of honour is chosen, and placed in the forefront of the Epistle, not with the idea of touching the heart of Philemon, but rather to proclaim the bondage in which every true Christian must be, and therefore also the “beloved fellow-worker” Philemon. The title is meant, in view of what follows in the Epistle, to touch the conscience rather than the heart. Τιμόθεος : associated with St. Paul in Acts 19:22; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; his mention here points to his personal friendship with Philemon. ὁ ἀδελφός : often used by the Apostle when he desires to be especially sympathetic; here, therefore, the emphasis is intended to be upon the thought of the brotherhood of all Christians; this is significant in view of the object of the Epistle. Φιλήμονι : See Intr., § II. συνεργῷ : when they had worked together cannot be said with certainty; perhaps in Ephesus or Colossae. Probably what is meant is the idea of all Christians being fellow-workers.