1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Paul, G3972 a prisoner G1198 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 and G2532 Timothy G5095 our brother, G80 unto Philemon G5371 our G2257 dearly beloved, G27 and G2532 fellowlabourer, G4904
2 And G2532 to our beloved G27 Apphia, G682 and G2532 Archippus G751 our G2257 fellowsoldier, G4961 and G2532 to the church G1577 in G2596 thy G4675 house: G3624
3 Grace G5485 to you, G5213 and G2532 peace, G1515 from G575 God G2316 our G2257 Father G3962 and G2532 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
4 I thank G2168 my G3450 God, G2316 making G4160 mention G3417 of thee G4675 always G3842 in G1909 my G3450 prayers, G4335
5 Hearing G191 of thy G4675 love G26 and G2532 faith, G4102 which G3739 thou hast G2192 toward G4314 the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 toward G1519 all G3956 saints; G40
6 That G3704 the communication G2842 of thy G4675 faith G4102 may become G1096 effectual G1756 by G1722 the acknowledging G1922 of every G3956 good thing G18 which G3588 is in G1722 you G5213 in G1519 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424
7 For G1063 we have G2192 great G4183 joy G5485 and G2532 consolation G3874 in G1909 thy G4675 love, G26 because G3754 the bowels G4698 of the saints G40 are refreshed G373 by G1223 thee, G4675 brother. G80
8 Wherefore, G1352 though I might be G2192 much G4183 bold G3954 in G1722 Christ G5547 to enjoin G2004 thee G4671 that which is convenient, G433
9 Yet for G1223 love's G26 sake I G3870 rather G3123 beseech G3870 thee, being G5607 such an one G5108 as G5613 Paul G3972 the aged, G4246 and G1161 now G3570 also G2532 a prisoner G1198 of Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
10 I beseech G3870 thee G4571 for G4012 my G1699 son G5043 Onesimus, G3682 whom G3739 I have begotten G1080 in G1722 my G3450 bonds: G1199
11 Which G3588 in time past G4218 was G890 to thee G4671 unprofitable, G890 but G1161 now G3570 profitable G2173 to thee G4671 and G2532 to me: G1698
12 Whom G3739 I have sent again: G375 thou G4771 therefore G1161 receive G4355 him, G846 that is, G5123 mine own G1699 bowels: G4698
13 Whom G3739 I G1473 would G1014 have retained G2722 with G4314 me, G1683 that G2443 in thy G4675 stead G5228 he might have ministered G1247 unto me G3427 in G1722 the bonds G1199 of the gospel: G2098
14 But G1161 without G5565 thy G4674 mind G1106 would G2309 I do G4160 nothing; G3762 that G3363 thy G4675 benefit G18 should G5600 not G3363 be G5600 as G5613 it were of G2596 necessity, G318 but G235 willingly. G1595 G2596
15 For G1063 G1223 perhaps G5029 he G5563 therefore G5124 departed G5563 for G4314 a season, G5610 that G2443 thou shouldest receive G568 him G846 for ever; G166
16 Not now G3765 as G5613 a servant, G1401 but G235 above G5228 a servant, G1401 a brother G80 beloved, G27 specially G3122 to me, G1698 but G1161 how much G4214 more G3123 unto thee, G4671 both G2532 in G1722 the flesh, G4561 and G2532 in G1722 the Lord? G2962
17 If G1487 thou count G2192 me G1691 therefore G3767 a partner, G2844 receive G4355 him G846 as G5613 myself. G1691
18 If G1161 G1487 he hath wronged G91 thee, G4571 or G2228 oweth G3784 thee ought, G5100 put G1677 that G5124 on G1677 mine account; G1698
19 I G1473 Paul G3972 have written G1125 it with mine own G1699 hand, G5495 I G1473 will repay G661 it: albeit G3363 I do G3004 not G3363 say G3004 to thee G4671 how G3754 thou owest G4359 unto me G3427 even G2532 thine own self G4572 besides. G4359
20 Yea, G3483 brother, G80 let G3685 me G1473 have joy G3685 of thee G4675 in G1722 the Lord: G2962 refresh G373 my G3450 bowels G4698 in G1722 the Lord. G2962
21 Having confidence G3982 in thy G4675 obedience G5218 I wrote G1125 unto thee, G4671 knowing G1492 that G3754 thou wilt G4160 also G2532 do G4160 more than G3739 G5228 I say. G3004
22 But G1161 withal G260 prepare G2090 me G3427 also G2532 a lodging: G3578 for G1063 I trust G1679 that G3754 through G1223 your G5216 prayers G4335 I shall be given G5483 unto you. G5213
23 There salute G782 thee G4571 Epaphras, G1889 my G3450 fellowprisoner G4869 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus; G2424
24 Marcus, G3138 Aristarchus, G708 Demas, G1214 Lucas, G3065 my G3450 fellowlabourers. G4904
25 The grace G5485 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 be with G3326 your G5216 spirit. G4151 Amen. G281
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
7 For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
9 yet for love's sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted `from thee' for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth `thee' aught, put that to mine account;
19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
24 `and so do' Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 and Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and the assembly in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
4 I give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that `is' in you toward Christ Jesus;
7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit --
9 because of the love I rather entreat, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;
10 I entreat thee concerning my child -- whom I did beget in my bonds -- Onesimus,
11 who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,
12 whom I did send again, and thou him (that is, my own bowels) receive,
13 whom I did wish to retain to myself, that in thy behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,
14 and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,
15 for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,
16 no more as a servant, but above a servant -- a brother beloved, especially to me, and how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord!
17 If, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,
18 and if he did hurt to thee, or doth owe anything, this to me be reckoning;
19 I, Paul did write with my hand, I -- I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.
20 Yes, brother, may I have profit of thee in the Lord; refresh my bowels in the Lord;
21 having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;
22 and at the same time also prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
23 Salute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)
24 Markus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lukas, my fellow-workmen!
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ `is' with your spirit! Amen.
1 Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-workman,
2 and to the sister Apphia and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the assembly which [is] in thine house.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, always making mention of thee at my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love and the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints,
6 in such sort that thy participation in the faith should become operative in the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in us towards Christ [Jesus].
7 For we have great thankfulness and encouragement through thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore having much boldness in Christ to enjoin thee what is fitting,
9 for love's sake I rather exhort, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I exhort thee for *my* child, whom I have begotten in [my] bonds, Onesimus,
11 once unserviceable to thee, but now serviceable to thee and to me:
12 whom I have sent back to thee: [but do *thou* receive] him, that is, *my* bowels:
13 whom *I* was desirous of keeping with myself, that for thee he might minister to me in the bonds of the glad tidings;
14 but I have wished to do nothing without thy mind, that thy good might not be as of necessity but of willingness:
15 for perhaps for this reason he has been separated [from thee] for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever;
16 not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in [the] flesh and in [the] Lord?
17 If therefore thou holdest me to be a partner [with thee], receive him as me;
18 but if he have wronged thee anything or owe anything [to thee], put this to my account.
19 *I* Paul have written [it] with mine own hand; *I* will repay [it]: that I say not to thee that thou owest even thine own self also to me.
20 Yea, brother, *I* would have profit of *thee* in [the] Lord: refresh my bowels in Christ.
21 Being confident of thine obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that I shall be granted to you through your prayers.
23 Epaphras salutes thee, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workmen.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
9 yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,{Onesimus means "useful."}
11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Gospel.
14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,
16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear helper in the faith,
2 And to Apphia, our sister, and to Archippus, our brother in God's army, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give praise to God at all times and make prayer for you,
5 Hearing of the love and the faith which you have to the Lord Jesus and to all the saints;
6 That the faith which you have in common with them may be working with power, in the knowledge of every good thing in you, for Christ.
7 For I had great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been made strong again through you, brother.
8 And so, though I might, in the name of Christ, give you orders to do what is right,
9 Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus:
10 My request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains,
11 Who in the past was of no profit to you, but now is of profit to you and to me:
12 Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart:
13 Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place:
14 But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart.
15 For it is possible that for this reason he was parted from you for a time, so that you might have him for ever;
16 No longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother, very dear to me specially, but much more to you, in the flesh as well as in the Lord.
17 If then you take me to be your friend and brother, take him in as myself.
18 If he has done you any wrong or is in debt to you for anything, put it to my account.
19 I, Paul, writing this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that you are in debt to me even for your life.
20 So brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: give new life to my heart in Christ.
21 Being certain that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you will do even more than I say.
22 And make a room ready for me; for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you.
23 Epaphras, my brother-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his love;
24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my brother-workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. So be it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Philemon 1
Commentary on Philemon 1 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Phm 1-25. Address. Thanksgiving for Philemon's Love and Faith. Intercession for Onesimus. Concluding Request and Salutations.
This Epistle affords a specimen of the highest wisdom as to the manner in which Christians ought to manage social affairs on more exalted principles.
1. prisoner of Jesus Christ—one whom Christ's cause has made a prisoner (compare "in the bonds of the Gospel," (Phm 13). He does not call himself, as in other Epistles, "Paul an apostle," as he is writing familiarly, not authoritatively.
our … fellow labourer—in building up the Church at Colosse, while we were at Ephesus. See my Introduction to Colossians.
2. Apphia—the Latin, "Appia"; either the wife or some close relative of Philemon. She and Archippus, if they had not belonged to his family, would not have been included with Philemon in the address of a letter on a domestic matter.
Archippus—a minister of the Colossian Church (Col 4:17).
fellow soldier—(2Ti 2:3).
church in thy house—In the absence of a regular church building, the houses of particular saints were used for that purpose. Observe Paul's tact in associating with Philemon those associated by kindred or Christian brotherhood with his house, and not going beyond it.
4. always—joined by Alford with, "I thank my God."
5. Hearing—the ground of his thanksgiving. It is a delicate mark of authenticity, that he says "hearing" as to churches and persons whom he had not seen or then visited. Now Colosse, Philemon's place of residence, he had never yet seen. Yet Phm 19 here implies that Philemon was his convert. Philemon, doubtless, was converted at Ephesus, or in some other place where he met Paul.
love and faith—The theological order is first faith then love, the fruit of faith. But he purposely puts Philemon's love in the first place, as it is to an act of love that he is exhorting him.
toward … toward—different Greek words: "towards" … "unto." Towards implies simply direction; unto, to the advantage of.
6. That—The aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee is, in order that the, &c.
the communication of thy faith—the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts of love and beneficence: as Heb 13:16, "to communicate," that is, to impart a share) to others; or, the liberality to others flowing from thy faith (so the Greek is translated, "liberal distribution," 2Co 9:13).
effectual by—Greek, "in"; the element in which his liberality had place, that is, may be proved by acts in, &c.
acknowledging—Greek, "the thorough knowledge," that is, the experimental or practical recognition.
of every good thing which is in you—The oldest manuscripts read, "which is in US," that is, the practical recognition of every grace which is in us Christians, in so far as we realize the Christian character. In short, that thy faith may by acts be proved to be "a faith which worketh by love."
in Christ Jesus—rather as Greek, "unto Christ Jesus," that is, to the glory of Christ Jesus. Two of the oldest manuscripts omit "Jesus." This verse answers to Phm 5, "thy love and faith toward all saints"; Paul never ceases to mention him in his prayers, in order that his faith may still further show its power in his relation to others, by exhibiting every grace which is in Christians to the glory of Christ. Thus he paves the way for the request in behalf of Onesimus.
7. For—a reason for the prayer, Phm 4-6.
we have—Greek, "we had."
joy and consolation—joined in 2Co 7:4.
saints are refreshed by thee—His house was open to them.
brother—put last, to conciliate his favorable attention to the request which follows.
8. Wherefore—Because of my love to thee, I prefer to "beseech," rather than "enjoin," or authoritatively command.
I might … enjoin—in virtue of the obligation to obedience which Philemon lay under to Paul, as having been converted through his instrumentality.
in Christ—the element in which his boldness has place.
9. for love's sake—mine to thee, and (what ought to be) thine to Onesimus. Or, that Christian love of which thou showest so bright an example (Phm 7).
being such an one—Explain, Being such a one as thou knowest me to be, namely,
Paul—the founder of so many churches, and an apostle of Christ, and thy father in the faith.
the aged—a circumstance calculated to secure thy respect for anything I request.
and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—the strongest claim I have on thy regard: if for no other reason, at least in consideration of this, through commiseration gratify me.
10. I beseech thee—emphatically repeated from Phm 9. In the Greek, the name "Onesimus" is skilfully put last, he puts first a favorable description of him before he mentions the name that had fallen into so bad repute with Philemon. "I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus." Scripture does not sanction slavery, but at the same time does not begin a political crusade against it. It sets forth principles of love to our fellow men which were sure (as they have done) in due time to undermine and overthrow it, without violently convulsing the then existing political fabric, by stirring up slaves against their masters.
11. Which … was … unprofitable—belying his name Onesimus, which means "profitable." Not only was he "unprofitable," but positively injurious, having "wronged" his master. Paul uses a mild expression.
now profitable—Without godliness a man has no station. Profitable in spiritual, as well as in temporal things.
12. mine own bowels—as dear to me as my own heart [Alford]. Compare Phm 17, "as myself." The object of my most intense affection as that of a parent for a child.
13. I—emphatical. I for my part. Since I had such implicit trust in him as to desire to keep him with me for his services, thou mayest.
I would have retained—different Greek from the "would," Phm 14, "I could have wished," "I was minded" here; but "I was not willing," Phm 14.
in thy stead—that he might supply in your place all the services to me which you, if you were here, would render in virtue of the love you bear to me (Phm 19).
bonds of the gospel—my bonds endured for the Gospel's sake (Phm 9).
14. without thy mind—that is, consent.
should not be as—"should not appear as a matter of necessity, but of free will." Had Paul kept Onesimus, however willing to gratify Paul Philemon might be, he would have no opportunity given him of showing he was so, his leave not having been asked.
15. perhaps—speaking in human fashion, yet as one believing that God's Providence probably (for we cannot dogmatically define the hidden purposes of God in providence) overruled the past evil to ultimately greater good to him. This thought would soften Philemon's indignation at Onesimus' past offense. So Joseph in Ge 45:5.
departed—literally, "was parted from thee"; a softening term for "ran away," to mitigate Philemon's wrath.
receive him—Greek, "have him for thyself in full possession" (see on Php 4:18). The same Greek as in Mt 6:2.
for ever—in this life and in that to come (compare Ex 21:6). Onesimus' time of absence, however long, was but a short "hour" (so Greek) compared with the everlasting devotion henceforth binding him to his master.
16. No longer as a mere servant or slave (though still he is that), but above a servant, so that thou shalt derive from him not merely the services of a slave, but higher benefits: a servant "in the flesh," he is a brother "in the Lord."
beloved, specially to me—who am his spiritual father, and who have experienced his faithful attentions. Lest Philemon should dislike Onesimus being called "brother," Paul first recognizes him as a brother, being the spiritual son of the same God.
much more unto thee—to whom he stands in so much nearer and more lasting relation.
17. a partner—in the Christian fellowship of faith, hope, and love.
receive him as myself—resuming "receive him that is mine own bowels."
18. Greek, "But it (thou art not inclined to 'receive him' because) he hath wronged thee"; a milder term than "robbed thee." Onesimus seems to have confessed some such act to Paul.
put that on mine account—I am ready to make good the loss to thee if required. The latter parts of Phm 19, 21, imply that he did not expect Philemon would probably demand it.
19. with mine own hand—not employing an amanuensis, as in other Epistles: a special compliment to Philemon which he ought to show his appreciation of by granting Paul's request. Contrast Col 4:18, which shows that the Epistle to the Colossian Church, accompanying this Epistle, had only its closing "salutation" written by Paul's own hand.
albeit, &c.—literally, "that I may not say … not to say," &c.
thou owest … even thine own self—not merely thy possessions. For to my instrumentality thou owest thy salvation. So the debt which "he oweth thee" being transferred upon me (I making myself responsible for it) is cancelled.
20. let me—"me" is emphatic: "Let me have profit (so Greek 'for joy,' onainen, referring to the name Onesimus, 'profitable') from thee, as thou shouldst have had from Onesimus"; for "thou owest thine ownself to me."
in the Lord—not in worldly gain, but in thine increase in the graces of the Lord's Spirit [Alford].
my bowels—my heart. Gratify my feelings by granting this request.
in the Lord—The oldest manuscripts read, "in Christ," the element or sphere in which this act of Christian love naturally ought to have place.
21. Having confidence in thy obedience—to my apostolic authority, if I were to "enjoin" it (Phm 8), which I do not, preferring to beseech thee for it as a favor (Phm 9).
thou will also do more—towards Onesimus: hinting at his possible manumission by Philemon, besides, being kindly received.
22. This prospect of Paul's visiting Colosse would tend to secure a kindly reception for Onesimus, as Paul would know in person how he had been treated.
your … you—referring to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the Church in Philemon's house. The same expectation is expressed by him, Php 2:23, 24, written in the same imprisonment.
23. The same persons send salutations in the accompanying Epistle, except that "Jesus Justus" is not mentioned here.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner—He had been sent by the Colossian Church to inquire after, and minister to, Paul, and possibly was cast into prison by the Roman authorities on suspicion. However, he is not mentioned as a prisoner in Col 4:12, so that "fellow prisoner" here may mean merely one who was a faithful companion to Paul in his imprisonment, and by his society put himself in the position of a prisoner. So also "Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner," Col 4:10, may mean. Benson conjectures the meaning to be that on some former occasion these two were Paul's "fellow prisoners," not at the time.
25. be with your spirit—(Ga 6:18; 2Ti 4:22).