Philemon 1:24

_MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, LUCAS, MY FELLOWLABOURERS._ No JFB commentary on this verse....

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 of a single year; but, considering how large a portion of the journey still remains to be accomplished, let him pray to God for steadfastness. END OF THE COMMENTARIES ON THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON....

23-25 Never have believers found more enjoyment of God, than when suffering together for him. Grace is the best wish for ourselves and others; with this the apostle begins and ends. All grace is from Christ; he purchased, and he bestows it. What need we more to make us happy, than to have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with our spirit? Let us do that now, which we should do at the last breath. Then men are ready to renounce the world, and to prefer the least portion of grace and faith before a kingdom....

Verse Philemon 1:24. _MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS_, c.] These were all acquaintances of Philemon, and probably Colossians and may be all considered as joining here with St. Paul in his request for Onesimus. Some think that _Marcus_ was either the evangelist, or _John Mark_, the nephew of Barnabas, Acts 12:12; Acts 12:25. _Aristarchus_ was probably the same with him mentioned Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2. See...

MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, AND LUCAS - see the notes at the Epistle to the Colossians, Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:14....

EXPOSITION PHILEMON 1:1 A PRISONER OF CHRIST JESUS. He writes a private letter, as friend to friend, and therefore does not describe himself by his official title of apostle. Having to plead the cause of a _slave_,_ _he begins by putting himself into a similar position as the "bondman of Jesus Christ"—"to obtain thereby the more ready compliance" (Chrysostom). By such a reverend bondage he beseeches Philemon, "and the bondage of Paul was liberty to Onesimus" (Scipio Gentilis). TIMOTHY, etc. He was, then, with St. Paul at the time of writing; therefore at Rome; and this fixes the date of composition at all events before that of the Second Epistle to Timothy, when the apostle was again at Rome (2 Timothy 1:17;...

MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, LUCAS,.... Marcus was Barnabas's sister's son, the son of that Mary, in whose house the church met, and prayed for Peter when in prison; whose name was John Mark, whom Saul and Barnabas took along with them to Antioch, and from thence, in their travels, to other parts; but he leaving them at Pamphylia, was the occasion of a contention between Saul and Barnabas afterwards, when returned to Antioch; the latter insisting on his going with them again, and the former refusing it on account of his departure from them; which contention rose so high that they parted upon it, Acts 12:12 though after this the apostle was reconciled to him; he approving himself to be a faithful and useful minister of the Gospel; and therefore he desires Timothy to bring him along with him, 2 Timothy 4:11 and

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATION _ 1. The greeting (Philemon 1:1)_ 2. Recognition of Philemon's faith and love (Philemon 1:4) 3. Concerning the reception of Onesimus (Philemon 1:8) 4.The conclusion (Philemon 1:22) Philemon 1:1 He speaks of himself as a prisoner of Christ Jesus; the Lord had made him a prisoner. He addresses Philemon (meaning: friendly, loving), the beloved, and his fellow-laborer. Apphia was probably the wife of Philemon; Archippus is called “fellow soldier”; he ministered in the Colossian assembly ...

CLOSING WORDS. Meanwhile let Philemon get a room ready for Paul also; for he has good hope that their prayers will be answered by his release. Epaphras, who is sharing his imprisonment, sends greeting; and so do others who are working with him in Rome. The grace of Christ be with those at Colossæ. PHILEMON 1:22. It was a journey of some weeks from Rome to Colossæ, and Paul's words are not meant to be taken too literally, but he is evidently optimistic as to the result of his approaching trial, and means to pay a visit to Colossæ when he can. Philemon 1:23. Epaphras: _cf._ Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:1

A MAN TO WHOM IT WAS EASY TO APPEAL (Philemon 1:1-7)...