Bible Commentaries
Philemon 1

Introduction

Overview

Philemon 1:1, Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.

Verse 1

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a prisoner: Philemon 1:9, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:8

Timothy: 2 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1

Philemon: The apostle in this epistle indulges in some fine paronomasais on the proper names. Thus Philemon, יכחלןם [Strong's G5371], affectionate, or beloved, is "our dearly beloved;" Apphia (נציב [Strong's G682], from בנצב), the affectionate address of a brother or sister, according to Suidas), is "the beloved sister," as several manuscripts, Vulgate, and others correctly read; Archippus (סקיננןע [Strong's G751], the ruler of the horse, for the managing of which heros were anciently famous), is "our fellow- soldier;" and Onesimus (םחףילןע [Strong's G3682], useful or profitable), once unprofitable, is now profitable., and fellow labourer, Philemon 1:24, 1 Corinthians 3:9, Philippians 2:25, Philippians 4:3, Colossians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:2

Reciprocal: Luke 10:2 - the labourers 1 Corinthians 10:14 - my 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - dear Philemon 1:13 - the bonds Hebrews 13:23 - brother

Verse 2

Archippus: Colossians 4:17

our fellowsoldier: Philippians 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 2:4

the church: Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:8 - thy hand Matthew 18:20 - two Matthew 20:21 - Grant Acts 28:23 - there came Philemon 1:24 - my fellowlabourers 3 John 1:8 - fellowhelpers

Verse 3

Romans 1:7, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 1:2

Reciprocal: Matthew 6:21 - there Matthew 20:21 - Grant 2 Corinthians 1:2 - General

Verse 4

Romans 1:8, Ephesians 1:16, Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Timothy 1:3

Reciprocal: Romans 1:9 - I make Romans 6:17 - But 1 Corinthians 1:14 - thank 2 Corinthians 9:12 - only Philippians 4:19 - God Colossians 1:9 - do

Verse 5

Hearing: Galatians 5:6, Ephesians 1:15, Colossians 1:4

toward the Lord: Philemon 1:7, Psalms 16:3, Acts 9:39-41, Romans 12:13, Romans 15:25, Romans 15:26, 1 Corinthians 16:1, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:2

Reciprocal: 2 Corinthians 8:4 - the ministering Ephesians 6:18 - supplication Ephesians 6:23 - and love Philippians 1:3 - upon Philippians 1:27 - I may Philippians 2:19 - that I 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - and labour 1 Thessalonians 3:6 - faith 1 Thessalonians 4:10 - all the 1 Timothy 6:2 - because they are Titus 3:15 - love Hebrews 6:10 - which Hebrews 13:24 - and all 3 John 1:2 - even 3 John 1:6 - have borne witness of thy charity

Verse 6

the communication: 2 Corinthians 9:12-14, Philippians 1:9-11, Titus 3:14, Hebrews 6:10, James 2:14, James 2:17

the acknowledging: Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 14:25, Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 1:5-8, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:16

in you: 2 Peter 1:8

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:13 - there is found Matthew 25:16 - went 2 Corinthians 1:13 - than 2 Corinthians 8:4 - the ministering Hebrews 13:16 - communicate

Verse 7

great joy: 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 2 John 1:4, 3 John 1:3-6

the bowels: Philemon 1:20, 2 Corinthians 7:13, 2 Timothy 1:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:9 - my brother Ruth 2:16 - General 1 Chronicles 29:17 - joy thy people Job 29:13 - I caused Proverbs 27:11 - be wise Isaiah 58:7 - to deal Matthew 6:2 - when Matthew 25:16 - went Matthew 25:35 - I was an Mark 14:7 - ye have Luke 14:13 - call Acts 16:34 - when Romans 12:13 - Distributing Romans 15:32 - and may 1 Corinthians 16:1 - the saints 1 Corinthians 16:15 - to the Philippians 1:4 - with Philemon 1:5 - toward the Lord

Verse 8

bold: 2 Corinthians 3:12, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 11:21, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:6

enjoin: 2 Corinthians 10:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 50:17 - servants 1 Chronicles 13:2 - If it seem Nehemiah 5:10 - I pray you Psalms 37:25 - I have Jeremiah 38:20 - Obey Acts 15:2 - should Romans 1:28 - not convenient 2 Corinthians 7:16 - that Ephesians 5:4 - convenient Philippians 4:3 - I Philemon 1:14 - without Hebrews 13:22 - suffer

Verse 9

love's sake: Romans 12:1, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 2 Corinthians 6:1, Ephesians 4:1, Hebrews 13:19, 1 Peter 2:11

Paul: Psalms 71:9, Psalms 71:18, Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 46:4

prisoner: Philemon 1:1, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1

Reciprocal: Judges 21:22 - Be favourable unto them 2 Samuel 9:1 - show him 1 Chronicles 13:2 - If it seem Nehemiah 5:10 - I pray you Psalms 37:25 - I have Proverbs 23:24 - shall have Isaiah 11:6 - General Acts 15:2 - should Acts 16:23 - they cast Acts 21:16 - an old Acts 23:18 - Paul 1 Corinthians 1:10 - I beseech 2 Corinthians 10:1 - I Paul 2 Corinthians 11:23 - in prisons Galatians 5:2 - I Paul Philippians 4:3 - I 1 Thessalonians 2:6 - when 1 Thessalonians 2:18 - even 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - we 1 Timothy 5:1 - entreat Philemon 1:14 - without Hebrews 13:22 - suffer 1 Peter 5:1 - who

Verse 10

my son: 2 Samuel 9:1-7, 2 Samuel 18:5, 2 Samuel 19:37, 2 Samuel 19:38, Mark 9:17, 1 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4

Onesimus: Colossians 4:9

whom: 1 Corinthians 4:15, Galatians 4:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:8 - thy hand Deuteronomy 23:15 - General Luke 6:42 - cast Luke 7:3 - General Acts 28:20 - this chain 1 Corinthians 1:10 - I beseech Ephesians 4:1 - beseech Ephesians 6:20 - bonds 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - we 1 Timothy 1:18 - son 1 Timothy 5:1 - entreat 1 Timothy 6:2 - believing Philemon 1:17 - receive 1 Peter 2:11 - I beseech 3 John 1:4 - that

Verse 11

unprofitable: Job 30:1, Job 30:2, Matthew 25:30, Luke 17:10, Romans 3:12, 1 Peter 2:10

profitable: Luke 15:24, Luke 15:32, 2 Timothy 4:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:8 - thy hand Jeremiah 13:7 - it was Luke 6:42 - cast Titus 3:8 - good

Verse 12

thou: Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 18:21-35, Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:32

mine: Deuteronomy 13:6, 2 Samuel 16:11, Jeremiah 31:20, Luke 15:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:4 - shall come Micah 6:7 - body Romans 11:14 - my Romans 16:2 - ye receive 2 Corinthians 7:2 - Receive Philippians 1:8 - in Philemon 1:17 - receive Philemon 1:20 - refresh

Verse 13

in thy stead: 1 Corinthians 16:17, Philippians 2:30

the bonds: Philemon 1:1, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 19:21 - ministered Matthew 20:26 - minister Acts 28:20 - this chain

Verse 14

without: Philemon 1:8, Philemon 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Peter 5:3

thy benefit: 1 Chronicles 29:17, Psalms 110:3, 1 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Corinthians 9:17, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 9:5, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Peter 5:2

Reciprocal: Judges 5:2 - when 2 Kings 8:9 - Thy son Benhadad Acts 5:4 - was it not thine 2 Corinthians 8:3 - beyond 1 Peter 4:9 - without

Verse 15

Genesis 45:5-8, Genesis 50:20, Psalms 76:10, Isaiah 20:6, Acts 4:28

Reciprocal: Luke 15:10 - one

Verse 16

a brother: Matthew 23:8, Acts 9:17, Galatians 4:28, Galatians 4:29, 1 Timothy 6:2, Hebrews 3:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 5:1

both in: Ephesians 6:5-7, Colossians 3:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:9 - my brother Matthew 8:6 - my Luke 15:27 - Thy brother John 15:15 - I call Acts 10:7 - two Acts 15:25 - our Acts 22:13 - Brother 1 Corinthians 7:22 - is the Ephesians 6:21 - beloved

Verse 17

thou count: Acts 16:15, 2 Corinthians 8:23, Ephesians 3:6, Philippians 1:7, 1 Timothy 6:2, Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 3:14, James 2:5, 1 Peter 5:1, 1 John 1:3

receive: Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:12, Matthew 10:40, Matthew 12:48-50, Matthew 18:5, Matthew 25:40

Reciprocal: Romans 16:2 - ye receive 2 Corinthians 7:2 - Receive Philippians 1:5 - General

Verse 18

put that: Isaiah 53:4-7,*Heb:

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:9 - will be Leviticus 17:4 - blood shall 1 Samuel 25:24 - Upon 2 Samuel 2:6 - I also Psalms 119:122 - surety Proverbs 6:1 - if thou be Matthew 18:29 - Have Romans 4:8 - to whom Colossians 3:25 - he that

Verse 19

I Paul: 1 Corinthians 16:21, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 6:11

how thou: 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 2 Corinthians 3:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, James 5:19, James 5:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:9 - will be Leviticus 17:4 - blood shall 1 Samuel 25:24 - Upon 2 Samuel 2:6 - I also Psalms 119:122 - surety Proverbs 6:1 - if thou be Proverbs 17:21 - hath Proverbs 27:11 - be wise Matthew 6:21 - there Matthew 18:29 - Have Romans 4:8 - to whom Romans 15:27 - and Galatians 4:19 - little 1 Timothy 4:16 - them

Verse 20

let me: 2 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 7:4-7, 2 Corinthians 7:13, Philippians 2:2, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9, Hebrews 13:17, 3 John 1:4

refresh: Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:12, Philippians 1:8, Philippians 2:1, 1 John 3:17

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 29:17 - joy thy people Proverbs 17:21 - hath Proverbs 23:24 - shall have Proverbs 27:11 - be wise Romans 15:32 - and may 2 Timothy 1:16 - refreshed

Verse 21

2 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 7:16, 2 Corinthians 8:22, Galatians 5:10, 2 Thessalonians 3:4

Reciprocal: Romans 15:14 - I 2 Corinthians 2:9 - whether Philippians 1:6 - confident 2 Thessalonians 3:14 - obey

Verse 22

prepare: Acts 28:23

for I trust: Romans 15:24, Philippians 1:25, Philippians 1:26, Philippians 2:24, Hebrews 13:23, 2 John 1:12, 3 John 1:14

through: Romans 15:30-32, 2 Corinthians 1:11, Philippians 1:19, James 5:16

Reciprocal: Romans 1:10 - request Ephesians 6:19 - for Colossians 4:3 - praying 1 Thessalonians 3:10 - praying 1 Thessalonians 5:25 - General 1 Timothy 3:14 - hoping Hebrews 13:19 - that I

Verse 23

Epaphras: Colossians 1:7, Colossians 4:12

my fellowprisoner: Romans 16:7, Colossians 4:10

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 16:20 - the brethren 2 Corinthians 13:13 - General Philippians 4:21 - The

Verse 24

Marcus: Acts 12:12, Acts 12:25, Acts 13:13, Acts 15:37-39, Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11

Aristarchus: Acts 19:29, Acts 27:2

Demas: Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10

Lucas: 2 Timothy 4:11

my fellowlabourers: Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:2, 2 Corinthians 8:23, Philippians 2:25, Philippians 4:3, 3 John 1:8

Reciprocal: Acts 20:4 - Aristarchus 1 Corinthians 16:20 - the brethren 2 Corinthians 13:13 - General Philippians 4:21 - The Colossians 4:11 - fellowworkers

Verse 25

grace: Romans 16:20, Romans 16:24

your spirit: 2 Timothy 4:22

Reciprocal: Romans 1:7 - and the Lord Galatians 6:18 - the grace 2 Thessalonians 3:16 - The Lord be