Bible Commentaries
Philemon 1

Verse 6

1:6 That the {a} communication of thy faith may become effectual by the {b} acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

(a) By fellowship of faith, he means those duties of charity which are given to the saints, and flow from a productive faith.

(b) That by this means all men may perceive how rich you are in Christ, that is, in faith, charity, and all bountifulness.

Verse 7

1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the (c) bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

(c) Because you did so dutifully and cheerfully refresh the saints, that they conceived inwardly a marvellous joy: for by this word (bowels) is meant not only the inward feeling of wants and miseries that men have of one another’s state, but also that joy and comfort which enters into the very bowels, as though the heart were refreshed and comforted.

Verse 9

1:9 {1} 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.

(1) An example of a Christian exercise and commendation for another man.

Verse 12

1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own {d} bowels:

(d) As my own son, and as if I had begotten him from my own body.

Verse 14

1:14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of {e} necessity, but willingly.

(e) That you might not seem to have lent me your servant on constraint, but willingly.

Verse 15

1:15 For perhaps he therefore {f} departed for {g} a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

(f) He uses a more gentle type of speech, but in reality, he ran away.

(g) For a little time.

Verse 16

1:16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the {h} flesh, and in the Lord?

(h) Because he is your servant, as other servants are, and because he is the Lord’s servant, you must love him both for the Lord’s sake and for your own sake.

Verse 20

1:20 {i} Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

(i) Good brother let me obtain this benefit at your hand.