A PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST. — It is interesting to note the substitution of the name “prisoner,” appealing to sympathy, for the usual title of “Apostle,” embodying a claim to authority. In the other Epistles of this period (see Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 6:20; Philippians 1:12; Colossia... [ Continue Reading ]
APPHIA. — The name is usually taken to be the Roman name _Appia._ But the occurrence of such a name in a Græco-Asiatic family, though of course possible, is perhaps improbable; and Dr. Lightfoot has shown that it occurs in the form _Apphia_ in many Phrygian inscriptions, and may therefore be natural... [ Continue Reading ]
I THANK MY GOD... — Note the almost exact verbal coincidence with the salutations in Ephesians 1:15; Philippians 1:3; Colossians 1:3, with, however, the natural distinction that this is briefer and simpler in style.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY LOVE AND FAITH, WHICH THOU HAST TOWARD THE LORD JESUS, AND TOWARD ALL SAINTS. — This description of a faith directed not only to the Lord Jesus, but to all the saints, has perplexed commentators, and called out various explanations. (1) One is that “faith” here (as in Romans 3:3; Galatians 5:22)... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE COMMUNICATION OF THY FAITH... — The general idea of St. Paul’s prayer for Philemon is clear — that his “faith may become effectual,” _i.e.,_ energetic and perfected, “in full knowledge.” This is exactly the prayer which, in different forms and degrees of emphasis, opens all the Epistles of... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) THE BOWELS OF THE SAINTS ARE REFRESHED BY THEE. — The same idea is here carried on. St. Paul declares his special joy to have been that “the bowels (_i.e., the hearts_) of the saints, have been refreshed through thee.” The word “refresh” is the very word used by our Lord in His gracious promise:... [ Continue Reading ]
(8, 9) WHEREFORE... FOR LOVE’S SAKE... — Still the same idea runs on. Philemon’s love, shown in Christian fellowship, is in the Apostle’s mind; “therefore,” he adds, “for love’s sake” — speaking in the spirit of love, to which he knew there would be a ready response — he will not command, as an Apos... [ Continue Reading ]
(8-20) Here St. Paul enters on the main subject of his Letter — the recommendation to Philemon of his runaway slave, Onesimus. All thoughtful readers of the Epistle must recognise in this a peculiar courtesy and delicacy of tone, through which an affectionate earnestness shows itself, and an authori... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) MY SON. — Properly, _my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus._ The name is withheld, till Philemon’s interest is doubly engaged, for one who is the Apostle’s “own child” (a name of endearment given elsewhere only to Timothy and Titus), and for one who was begotten under the har... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) IN TIME PAST... UNPROFITABLE, BUT NOW PROFITABLE. — The name _Onesimus_ means “useful,” or “profitable,” though derived from a different root from the words here used. It is hardly possible not to see in this passage a play on words, though (curiously enough) this is not noticed by the old Gree... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) THOU THEREFORE RECEIVE HIM. — The word “receive” is not in the best MSS. It is supplied here from Philemon 1:17 (apparently rightly in respect of sense) to fill up a broken construction in the original. MINE OWN BOWELS — _i.e., my own heart,_ dear to me as my own soul. There is, indeed, an usag... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) WHOM I WOULD HAVE RETAINED. — In the original we have here a graceful distinction in two points between the two clauses. The verb in the first clause is “to wish;” in the second “to will.” The tense in the first clause is the imperfect: “I was wishing,” or “prepared to wish” (just as in Acts 25... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) THAT THY BENEFIT SHOULD NOT BE... — The benefit derived from the service of Onesimus St. Paul acknowledges as coming from Philemon, because given with his consent. He will not keep Onesimus and ask that consent by letter, lest it should be “as it were of necessity:” _i.e.,_ lest it should wear... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) FOR PERHAPS HE THEREFORE DEPARTED (or, _was parted_)_. — This_ is a further reason for sending Onesimus back. St. Paul now touches on Onesimus’ “being parted” from Philemon, using a phrase not only (as has been noted) euphemistic, but also one which suggested that his running away was, however... [ Continue Reading ]
(16) NOT NOW AS A SERVANT, BUT... A BROTHER BELOVED... IN THE LORD. — In these words we have at last the principle which is absolutely destructive of the condition of slavery — a condition which is the exaggeration of natural inferiority to the effacement of the deeper natural equality. (1) The slav... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) A PARTNER. — The title is peculiar. In the singular number (in which it is naturally more distinctive) and in absolute use, unconnected with explanatory words (such as we read in 1 Peter 5:1), it is nowhere else found, except in 2 Corinthians 8:23, where Titus is called St. Paul’s “partner and... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) IF HE HATH WRONGED THEE. — Properly, _If he wronged thee,_ evidently referring to the time of Onesimus’ escape. “If he oweth thee ought” is similarly, in all probability, an allusion to some theft at the same time, couched in a hypothetical form, but implying no doubt as to the fact. PUT THAT... [ Continue Reading ]
(19) I PAUL HAVE WRITTEN IT WITH MINE OWN HAND. — St. Paul actually introduces here a regular bond couched in legal form, written (as, perhaps, the whole Letter was written) with his own hand. In so doing he still continues the idea of the preceding verse; but the following words show that, though w... [ Continue Reading ]
(20) LET ME HAVE JOY OF THEE. — Properly, _may I have pleasure,_ or _profit, from thee_: a phrase used especially of the mingled pleasure and help derived from children. (See Dr. Lightfoot’s Note on this passage.) The word “I” is emphatic. St. Paul puts himself forward to plead for Onesimus, what he... [ Continue Reading ]
Philemon 1:21 contain the conclusion of the Epistle — hope to visit Philemon soon, salutation, and blessing. (21) CONFIDENCE IN THY OBEDIENCE. — It is curious to notice how, in this conclusion, St. Paul seems to glide, as it were insensibly, out of the tone of entreaty as to an equal, into the auth... [ Continue Reading ]