A prisoner of Jesus Christ [δ ε σ μ ι ο ς]. A prisoner for Christ's sake. This is the only salutation in which Paul so styles himself. The word is appropriate to his confinement at Rome. Apostle would not have suited a private letter, and one in which Paul takes the ground of personal friendship and... [ Continue Reading ]
Our beloved Apphia [α π φ ι α τ η α γ α π η τ η]. Read th aJudelfh the [ο υ ρ] sister. Commonly supposed to have been Philemon's wife. The word is not the common Roman name Appia, but is a Phrygian name, occurring frequently in Phrygian inscriptions. It is also written Aphphia, and sometimes Aphia.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thank - always. Construe with thank. For similar introductory thanksgivings compare Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3. Making mention [μ ν ε ι α ν π ο ι ο υ μ ε ν ο ς]. Mneia primarily means remembrance, so that t... [ Continue Reading ]
That [ο π ω ς]. Connect with making mention. The communication of thy faith [η κ ο ι ν ω ν ι α τ η ς π ι σ τ ε ω ς σ ο υ]. Koinwnia fellowship is often used in the active sense of impartation, as communication, contribution, almsgiving. So Romans 14:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Hebrews 13:16. This is th... [ Continue Reading ]
For we have [γ α ρ ε χ ο μ ε ν]. Read escon I had. Connect with I thank in ver. 4, giving the reason for thankfulness as it lay in his own heart; as, in ver. 5, he had given the reason which lay in outward circumstances. Bowels [σ π λ α γ χ ν α]. Rev., hearts. See on 1 Peter 3:8. Are refreshed [α ν... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore. Seeing that I have these proofs of thy love. Connect with I rather beseech (ver. 9). I might be much bold [π ο λ λ η ν π α ρ ρ η σ ι α ν ε χ ω ν]. Better, as Rev., I have all boldness. ParjrJhsia boldness is opposed to fear, John 7:13; to ambiguity or reserve, John 11:14. The idea of pub... [ Continue Reading ]
Being such an one as Paul the aged [τ ο ι ο υ τ ο ς ω ν ω ς π α υ λ ο ς π ρ ε σ β υ τ η ς]. Being such an one, connect with the previous I rather beseech, and with Paul the aged. Not, being such an one (armed with such authority), as Paul the aged I beseech (the second beseech in ver. 10); but, as R... [ Continue Reading ]
I beseech. Resuming the beseech of ver. 9. I beseech, I repeat. Onesimus (Onhsimon). The name is withheld until Paul has favorably disposed Philemon to his request. The word means helpful, and it was a common name for slaves. The same idea was expressed by other names, as Chresimus, Chrestus (useful... [ Continue Reading ]
Unprofitable [α χ ρ η σ τ ο ν]. A play on the word Onesimus profitable. Compare unprofitable [α χ ρ ε ι ο ς] servant, Matthew 25:30. These plays upon proper names are common both in Greek and Roman literature. Thus Aeschylus on the name of Helen of Troy, the play or pun turning on the root eJl, hel,... [ Continue Reading ]
I have sent again [α ν ε π ε μ ψ α]. Rev., sent back. The epistolary aorist, see on 1 Peter 5:12. Our idiom would be I send back. That Onesimus accompanied the letter appears from Colossians 4:7-9. Thou therefore receive. Omit, and render aujton him as Rev., in his own person; his very self.... [ Continue Reading ]
I would [ε β ο υ λ ο μ η ν]. Rev., I would fain. See on Matthew 1:19. The imperfect tense denotes the desire awakened but arrested. See on I would, ver. 14. With me [π ρ ο ς ε μ α υ τ ο ν]. The preposition expresses more than near or beside. It implies intercourse. See on with God, John 1:1. In th... [ Continue Reading ]
I would [η θ ε λ η σ α]. Compare I would, ver. 13. Here the aorist tense and the verb meaning to will denote a single, decisive resolution. As it were of necessity [ω ς κ α τ α α ν α γ κ η ν]. Wv as it were, Rev., as, marks the appearance of necessity. Philemon's kindly reception of Onesimus must no... [ Continue Reading ]
For perhaps. I sent him back, for, if I had kept him, I might have defeated the purpose for which he was allowed to be separated from you for a time. "We are not to be too sure of what God means by such and such a thing, as some of us are wont to be, as if we had been sworn of God's privy council...... [ Continue Reading ]
Not now [ο υ κ ε τ ι]. Rev., more correctly, no longer. The negative adverb oujketi states the fact absolutely, not as it may be conceived by Philemon [μ η κ ε τ ι]. However Philemon may regard Onesimus, as a fact he is now no longer as a slave. Above [υ π ε ρ]. Rev., more than. More than a slave -... [ Continue Reading ]
Then [ο υ ν]. Resumptive from ver. 12. Thou count [ε χ ε ι ς]. Lit., hold, which is often used in this sense. Compare Luke 14:18, hold me or count me as excused Philippians 2:29, hold such in reputation. Partner. More than an intimate friend. One in Christian fellowship. 213... [ Continue Reading ]
If he hath wronged [ε ι η δ ι κ δ σ ε ν]. The indicative mood with the conditional particle may imply that what is put hypothetically is really a fact : if he wronged thee as he did. Oweth. Perhaps indicating that Onesimus had been guilty of theft. Notice the general word wronged instead of the mor... [ Continue Reading ]
I Paul have written, etc. Rev., write. A promissory note. The mention of his autograph here, rather than at the end of the letter, may indicate that he wrote the whole epistle with his own hand, contrary to his usual custom of employing an amanuensis. Albeit I do not say [ι ν α μ η λ ε γ ω]. Lit.,... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea [ν α ι]. A confirmatory particle, gathering up the whole previous intercession for Onesimus. So Matthew 11:26. even so; Rev., yea. Luke 11:51, verily; Rev., yea. Luke 12:5, yea. Let me have joy [ο ν α ι μ η ν]. Or help. Lit., may I profit. Again a play upon the name Onesimus. The verb is freque... [ Continue Reading ]
More than I say [υ π ε ρ]. Beyond. Possibly hinting at manumission.... [ Continue Reading ]
Withal [α μ α]. Simultaneously with the fulfillment of my request. A lodging. Paul is expecting a speedy liberation. His original plan of going from Rome to Spain has apparently been altered. Lightfoot observes that "there is a gentle compulsion in this mention of a personal visit to Colossae. The a... [ Continue Reading ]
Epaphras my fellow prisoner [ε π α φ ρ α ς ο σ υ ν α ι χ μ α λ ω τ ο ς μ ο υ]. Epaphras is mentioned Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12. Some identify him with Epaphroditus, but without sufficient reason. Epaphroditus appears to have been a native of Philippi (Philippians 2:25), and Epaphras of Colossa... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark. Probably John Mark the evangelist. He appears as the companion of Paul, Acts 12:25; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11. Aristarchus. A Thessalonian. Alluded to Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2. He was Paul's companion for a part of the way on the journey to Rome. Demas. See Colossians 4:14; 2 Tim... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace - with your spirit. As in Galatians 6:18, with the omission here of brother. See on 2 Corinthians 13:14. Out of many private letters which must have been written by Paul, this alone has been preserved. Its place in the New Testament canon is vindicated, so far as its internal character is con... [ Continue Reading ]