The Epistle embraces the following subjects: I. The salutation; Philemon 1:1. II. A mention of the excellent account which the apostle had heard of Philemon, and the occasion which he had for thankfulness on his behalf; Philemon 1:4. * He always remembered him in his prayers; Philemon 1:4. * H... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL, A PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST - A prisoner at Rome in the cause of Jesus Christ; Ephesians 3:1 note; 2 Timothy 1:8 note. AND TIMOTHY OUR BROTHER - Timothy, it seems, had come to him agreeably to his request; 2 Timothy 4:9. Paul not unfrequently joins his name with his own in his epistles; 2 Corin... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO OUR BELOVED APPHIA - This was a female (Greek ἀγαπητῇ agapētē), and was probably the wife of Philemon. AND ARCHIPPUS OUR FELLOW-SOLDIER - See the notes at Colossians 4:17. It has been supposed that he was a son of Philemon, and this would appear not to be improbable, as he was one of his... [ Continue Reading ]
GRACE TO YOU, AND PEACE ... - See if the notes at Romans 1:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
I THANK MY GOD - That is, for what I hear of you. MAKING MENTION OF THEE ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS - See a similar declaration respecting the church at Ephesus, Ephesians 1:16. It would appear from this that Paul, in his private devotions, was in the habit of mentioning churches and individuals by name.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARING OF THY LOVE AND FAITH - Either by Onesimus, who, after his conversion, would be disposed to state all that he knew that was favorable of Philemon, or hearing it by some other persons who had come from Colosse to Rome. The faith which is mentioned here refers to the Lord Jesus; the love, to t... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE COMMUNICATION OF THY FAITH - That is, this was a subject of prayer on the part of the apostle, that the “communication of his faith” might receive from all the proper acknowledgment of the good which he did in the Christian cause. The phrase translated “communication of thy faith,” means th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE HAVE GREAT JOY AND CONSOLATION IN THY LOVE - In thy love toward Christians. The word here rendered “joy” (χάριν charin), properly means grace. A large number of manuscripts, however, instead of this word, have χαρὰν charan, Charan, joy. See Wetstein. This reading has been adopted by Griesba... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, THOUGH I MIGHT BE MUCH BOLD IN CHRIST - Though I might have much boldness as an apostle of Christ. He means that he was invested with authority by the Lord Jesus, and would have a right, as an apostle, to enjoin what ought to be done in the case which he is about to lay before him; compar... [ Continue Reading ]
YET FOR LOVE’S SAKE - For the love which you bear me, and for the common cause. I RATHER BESEECH THEE - Rather than command thee. BEING SUCH AN ONE AS PAUL THE AGED - πρεσβυτης presbutēs - an old man. We have no means of ascertaining the exact age of Paul at this time, and I do not recollect that... [ Continue Reading ]
I BESEECH THEE FOR MY SON ONESIMUS - That is, my son in the gospel; one to whom I sustain the relation of a spiritual father; compare the notes at 1 Timothy 1:2. The address and tact of Paul here are worthy of particular observation. Any other mode of bringing the case before the mind of Philemon mi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IN TIME PAST WAS TO THEE UNPROFITABLE - Either because he was indolent; because he had wronged him (compare the notes at Philemon 1:18), or because he had run away from him. It is possible that there may be an allusion here to the meaning of the name “Onesimus,” which denotes “profitable” (fro... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM I HAVE SENT AGAIN - That is, to Philemon. This was, doubtless, at his own request, for: (1) There is not the slightest evidence that he compelled him, or even urged him to go. The language is just such as would have been used on the supposition either that he requested him to go and bear a lett... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM I WOULD HAVE RETAINED WITH ME, THAT IN THY STEAD - “That he might render me the service which I know you would if you were here.” The Greek is: “for thee” ὑπὲρ σοῦ huper sou; that is, what he should do for Paul might be regarded as done by Philemon himself. HE MIGHT HAVE MINISTERED UNTO ME... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITHOUT THY MIND WOULD I DO NOTHING - Nothing in the matter referred to. He would not retain Onesimus in his service, much as he needed his assistance, without the cordial consent of Philemon. He would not give him occasion for hard feeling or complaint, as if Paul had induced him to leave his m... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR PERHAPS HE THEREFORE DEPARTED FOR A SEASON - Perhaps on this account, or for this reason - διὰ τοῦτο dia touto - he left you for a little time. Greek, “for an hour” - πρὸς ὥραν pros hōran. The meaning is, that it was possible that this was permitted in the Providence of God in order that O... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT NOW AS A SERVANT - The adverb rendered “not now” (οὐκέτι ouketi), means “no more, no further, no longer.” It implies that he had been before in this condition, but was not to be now; compare Matthew 19:6, “They are no more twain.” They were once so, but they are not to be regarded as such now;... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THERE COUNT ME THEREFORE A PARTNER - The word rendered “partner” (κοινωνὸς koinōnos, means “a partaker, a companion.” The idea in the word is that of having something in common (κοινὸς koinos) with any one - as common principles; common attachments; a common interest in an enterprise; common h... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE HATH WRONGED THEE - Either by escaping from you, or by failing to perform what he had agreed to, or by unfaithfulness when he was with you as a servant, or by taking your property when he went away. Any of these methods would meet all that is said here, and it is impossible to determine in whi... [ Continue Reading ]
I PAUL HAVE WRITTEN IT WITH MINE OWN HAND - It has been inferred from this, that Paul wrote this entire Epistle with his own hand, though this was contrary to his usual practice; compare the Romans 16:22 note; 1 Corinthians 16:21 note; Galatians 6:11 note. He undoubtedly meant to refer to this as a... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, BROTHER, LET ME HAVE JOY OF THEE IN THE LORD - “By showing me this favor in receiving my friend and brother as I request.” The phrase “in the Lord,” here seems to mean that, if this request was granted, he would recognize the hand of the Lord in it, and would receive it as a favor from him. REF... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING CONFIDENCE IN THY OBEDIENCE - That you would comply with all my expressed desires. I WROTE UNTO THEE - “I have written to you;” to wit, in this Epistle. KNOWING THAT THOU WILT ALSO DO MORE THAN I SAY - In all the respects which he had mentioned - in receiving Onesimus, and in his kind treat... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITHAL - Or, at the same time - Ἅμα Hama. While you are granting this favor, do me also another by preparing a lodging for me. PREPARE ME ALSO A LODGING - Philemon had been accustomed to show kindness to the saints Philemon 1:5, and not improbably Paul had before shared his hospitality. The w... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE SALUTE THEE EPAPHRAS - The same persons who are here mentioned as greeting Philemon, are mentioned in the close of the Epistle to the Colossians - furnishing a high degree of evidence that Philemon resided at Colosse. Epaphras was a member of the church there; the notes at Colossians 4:12. MY... [ Continue Reading ]
MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, AND LUCAS - see the notes at the Epistle to the Colossians, Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ... - Notes, 2 Timothy 4:22. The subscription to the Epistle is of no authority, but in this case is undoubtedly correct. Compare the remarks at the close of 1 Corinthians, and Titus. Remarks On Philemon Having now passed through with the exposition of this Epist... [ Continue Reading ]