Bible Commentaries
Philemon 1

Verse 1

prisoner. Compare Ephesians 3:1 ; Ephesians 4:1 . 2 Timothy 1:8 .

Jesus Christ = Christ Jesus. App-98 .

our = the.

unto = to.

dearly beloved . Greek. agapetos . App-130 .

fellowlabourer . Greek. sunergos . See 1 Corinthians 3:9 .

Verse 2

beloved. The texts read "sister".

Apphia. Tradition says she was the wife of Philemon.

Archippus. See Colossians 4:11 .

fellowsoldier. Only here and Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:25 , which see.

church. App-186 .

in. Greek. kata . App-104 .

Verse 3

Grace. Greek. charis . App-184 .

from. App-104 . God. App-98 .

Father . App-98 .

Lord. App-98 .

Jesus Christ. App-98 .

Verse 4

thank . Greek. eucharisteo . See Acts 27:35 .

mention. Greek. mneia . See Romans 1:9 . Eph 1:16 , 1 Thessalonians 1:2 .

always. App-161 .

in. Greek. epi . App-104 .

prayers. Greek. proseuche . App-134 .

Verse 5

love = the love. App-135 .

faith = the faith. App-150 .

toward. Greek. pros . App-104 .

Lord. App-98 .

Jesus. App-98 .

toward. Greek. eis, App-104 .

saints = the saints. See Acts 9:13 .

Verse 6

That. Supply the ellipsis by "(Praying) that".

communication = fellowship. Greek. koinonia , See Acts 2:42 .

effectual. Greek. energes . See 1 Corinthians 16:9 . Elsewhere, Hebrews 4:12 . See App-172 .

by. App-104 .

acknowledging . App-132 .

in. App-104 .

you. The texts read "us".

in. Greek. eis . App-104 .

Christ. App-98 .X.

Jesus . The texts omit.

Verse 7

we have. The texts read "I had".

consolation. See Acts 4:36 .

in. App-104 .

bowels . See 2 Corinthians 6:12 ,

are = have been.

refreshed. See 1 Corinthians 16:18 .

by. App-104 .Philemon 1:1 .

Verse 8

though . . . bold . Literally having much boldness (Greek. parrhesia , freedom of speech). Compare Acts 2:29 .

enjoin = command. Greek. epitasso

convenient. Greek. aneko . See Ephesians 5:4 .

Verse 9

Yet . Omit.

for. sake . App-104 .

beseech . App-134 . Compare Philemon 1:7 .

aged . Greek. presbutes . See Titus 2:2 . Elsewhere, Luke 1:18 .

also , &c. = a prisoner also.

Verse 10

for . App-104 .

son . App-108 .

have begotten = begat. Compare Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:12 , Philippians 1:13 .

Verse 11

unprofitable = not useful. Greek. achrestos. Only here. Figure of speech Meiosis . App-6 .

profitable . Greek. euchrestos . See 2 Timothy 2:21 .

Verse 12

have. Omit,

sent again = sent back. App-174 .

thou therefore receive . The texts omit, and read "sent again to thee",

mine own bowels = as mine own self. Figure of speech Synecdoche . App-6 .

Verse 13

would , &c. = was minded ( App-102 .) to retain.

with . App-104 . xv B.

that = in order

that. Greek. hina .

in . . . stead . App-104 .

might have , &c. = may minister. App-190 .

gospel . See App-140 .

Verse 14

without = apart from, Greek. choris .

mind . App-177 .

would. Literally was wilting to. App-102 .

nothing . Greek. ouden.

thy benefit . Literally the good thing of thee.

not. App-106 . IL

it were . Omit.

of . App-104 .

willingly = according to ( App-104 .)

free-will . Greek. hekousios . Only here. The adverb in Hebrews 10:26 . 1Pe 6:2 .

Verse 15

perhaps. Greek. tacha . Only here and Romans 5:7 .

therefore = because of ( App-104 .Philemon 1:2; Philemon 1:2 ) this.

departed = was separated. Greek. chorizo . First occurance: Matthew 19:6 .

for , App-104 .

season . Literally hour. Greek. hora ,

receive. Greek. apecho . See Matthew 6:2 .

for ever. App-181 .

Verse 16

Not now = No longer. Greek. ouketi .

servant. App-190 .

above . App-101 .

Verse 17

If. App-118 .

count. Literally have. Greek. echo .

partner = partaker. Greek. Koinonos . See 1 Corinthians 10:18 .

receive . Greek. proslambano . "You have received me; receite him in addition, as myself. "Compare Romans 15:7 .

Verse 18

hath. Omit.

put . . . on . . . account. Greek. ellogeo . Only here and Romans 5:13 (imputed).

Verse 19

have written = wrote.

repay . Greek. apotino . Only here.

albeit = that. Greek. hina .

how = that.

owest . . . besides. Greek. prosopheilo . Only here.

Verse 20

let me have joy = may I profit Greek. oninemi , the root-word from which comes onesimos "Let me have profit from thee. seeing I em sending back Onesimus (profitable) to thee. "

the Lord. The texts read "Christ". App-98 .

Verse 21

Having confidence . App-150 .

knowing. App-192 .

also do more = do more also.

more than = above ( App-104 .) that which.

Verse 22

withal. Greek. hama. See Colossians 4:3 . 2Ti 5:13 .

me also = also for me,

lodging . Greek. xenia . Only here and Act 28:33 .

trust = hope. Greek. elpizo .

through. App-104 .Philemon 1:1 .

given = granted as a favour. Greek. chariaomai. App-184 .

Verse 23

salute = greet. Greek. aspocamai. Compare Colossians 4:12 .

Epaphras . See Colossians 1:7 .

fellowprisoner . Greek. sunaichmalitos . See Romans 16:7 .

Christ Jesus. App-98 .

Verse 24

Marcus . See Acts 12:12 , Acts 12:25 ; Acts 15:37 , Acts 15:39 . Col 4:10 . 2 Timothy 4:11 ; 1 Peter 5:13 .

Aristarchus. See Acts 19:29 ; Acts 20:4 ; 2 Chronicles 4:10; 2 Chronicles 4:10 .

Demas . See Colossians 4:14 . 2 Timothy 4:10 .

Lucas . See Colossians 4:14 . 2 Timothy 4:11 ; also Introduction Notes to Luke's Gospel, especially the foot-note.

Verse 25

The grace, &c. Paul's constant benediction.

with . App-104 .

spirit . App-101 .