Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Philemon 1:13

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Philemon 1:13. That in thy stead he might have ministered unto me — As Philemon was one of Paul's converts, he became thereby his spiritual father, and had a right to his services when in need. This was a strong argument, not only to induce Philemon to forgive his servant, but to send him back to the apostle, that he might minister to him in his master's stead.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

CONTENTS OF THE LETTER

Paul greets Philemon, his wife Apphia, and the other believers who meet in their home. He also greets Archippus, who was possibly their son and who was serving God in that region (1-3; cf. Colossians 4:17). Paul rejoices because of what he has heard (probably from Epaphras and Onesimus; cf. Colossians 1:7-8; Colossians 4:9,Colossians 4:12) of Philemon’s strong faith in God and sincere love for God’s people. This faith and love have been a source of strength and encouragement to the church in Colossae. Paul prays that Philemon will continue to share these blessings with others and so further build up the church (4-7).

Knowing Philemon’s caring nature, Paul does not have to use his apostolic authority to command Philemon in any way. He knows he can depend on Philemon’s generous spirit to forgive Onesimus and receive him back (8-9). Onesimus had once been a useless slave, but now his whole life has been changed. He has so lovingly helped Paul in prison that he has become like a son to Paul (10-11).
Although Paul would like to keep Onesimus with him, he feels that the right thing to do is to send him back to his original master, Philemon. No doubt Philemon would be happy to allow Onesimus to stay in Rome where he could continue to look after Paul, but that is a matter for Philemon to decide, not Paul. Whatever Philemon does, Paul wants him to do it willingly, not because Paul has forced him (12-14).
Perhaps it was God’s will that Onesimus left Philemon briefly so that he might be saved eternally. No longer will he be a lazy and uncooperative slave, but a willing and helpful brother in Christ. Philemon should therefore treat him as a brother (15-16).
If Onesimus stole or damaged anything in making his escape, Paul will gladly pay the cost on Onesimus’ behalf. However, Philemon should not forget the debt that he himself owes Paul, even his eternal salvation. But Paul’s gladness will be much greater if Philemon freely forgives everything (17-20). Paul is confident that Philemon will act with generosity - maybe do even more than Paul suggests and give complete freedom to the slave (21).

Paul hopes to be released soon and pay a visit to Colossae. In the meantime, he and those with him send greetings to Philemon personally, in addition to the greetings they had sent to the whole church in the Colossian letter (22-25; cf. Colossians 4:10-14).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be of necessity, but of free will.

I would have kept … I would do nothing … There is a double usage of the word "would" in this. "The former denotes natural but indeterminate impulse; the latter denotes a deliberate conclusion of the will." S. J. Eales, op. cit., p. 3. Two different words are used in the Greek.

That he might minister unto me … This seems to be a hint that Paul hoped Philemon would send Onesimus back to help the apostle during his imprisonment, a wish that, in all probability, Philemon might have granted.

But of free will … The principle of compulsion is not a valid option in the advancement of Christianity, or the principles of Christianity. "In Christ there is a completely new frame of reference that completely transforms all earthly relationships. Brotherhood is the focus in which all other relationships must be evaluated." E. Earle Ellis, Wycliffe New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 891.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead - “That he might render me the service which I know you would if you were here.” The Greek is: “for thee” ὑπὲρ σοῦ huper sou; that is, what he should do for Paul might be regarded as done by Philemon himself.

He might have ministered unto me - He might have rendered me assistance (διακονῇ diakonē); to wit, in such a way as one who was in bonds would need.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

13.Whom I was desirous to keep beside me. This is another argument for the purpose of appeasing Philemon, that Paul sends him back a slave, of whose services, in other respects, he stood greatly in need. It would have been extreme cruelty, to disdain so strong affection manifested by Paul. He likewise states indirectly, that it will be a gratification to himself to have Onesimus sent back to him rather than that he should be harshly treated at home.

That he might minister to me instead of thee in the bonds of the gospel. He now mentions other circumstances: first, Onesimus will supply the place of his master, by performing this service; secondly, Paul himself, through modesty, was unwilling to deprive Philemon of his right; and, thirdly, Philemon will receive more applause, if, after having had his slave restored to him, he shall willingly and generously send him back. From this last consideration we infer, that we ought to aid the martyrs of Christ by every kind office in our power, while they are laboring for the testimony of the gospel; for if exile, imprisonment stripes, blows, and violent seizing of our property, are believed by us to belong to the gospel, as Paul here calls them, whoever refuses to share and partake of them separates himself even from Christ. Undoubtedly the defense of the gospel belongs alike to all. Accordingly, he who endures persecution, for the sake of the gospel, ought not to be regarded as a private individual, but as one who publicly represents the whole Church. Hence it follows, that all believers ought to be united in taking care of it, so that they may not, as is frequently done, leave the gospel to be defended in the person of one man.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Tonight let's turn to Philemon. Philemon was written by Paul the apostle unto the man whose name is Philemon who lived in Colossi. This letter was written at the same time that Paul wrote the Colossian epistle. When Paul wrote the Colossian epistle, he made mention that he was sending the letter with Tychicus, and that also Onesimus, who was one of their own, would be coming with Tychicus with the epistle. The letter of Philemon involves this man Onesimus, for Onesimus was at one time a slave of Philemon, who had evidently stolen some money and had run away. Now Paul is returning him with this epistle in which Paul is interceding for Onesimus, that Philemon might receive him no longer as a slave but as a brother in Christ.

This is one of Paul's prison epistles. And in it Paul not only asks Philemon to be merciful and gracious unto Onesimus, but also to be preparing a place for Paul to stay, for Paul is expecting to be released soon from prison, which he was released from that first imprisonment, later re-arrested and then executed. So,

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ ( Philemon 1:1 ),

The Bible tells us "whatsoever we do in word or deed, we should do all to the glory of God" ( 1 Corinthians 10:31 ). Paul in his service was a servant of Jesus Christ. As a servant of Jesus Christ, his life was totally committed to the cause of Jesus Christ. So whatever happened to him, he did not look upon it personally but as unto the Lord and for the Lord's sake.

I think a lot of times we Christians get out of sorts because we are prone to personalize the reproach that comes on us for the cause of Jesus Christ. If while I am sharing my faith in Jesus Christ, or my love for the Lord with someone and they get upset with me and tell me that I'm a nut and things of this nature, I am prone to personalize the remarks, rather than realize that the animosity that they feel is not really directed towards me, it's directed towards the Lord that I represent. And I think that it's important that we make that distinction in our mind, that so oftentimes the reproach we bear is the reproach of Christ.

So that when in the early church they were beaten and told not to preach anymore in the name of Jesus, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus Christ. And Paul talks about the many sufferings that he endured as filling up the afflictions of Christ. So here he sees himself, interestingly enough, not as a prisoner of Rome. Rome can't hold Paul nor can it hold back the work of the Spirit of God in Paul's life. "I'm a prisoner of Jesus Christ." And when you see things that way, it puts a whole different light on our experiences. I can endure; I can accept it when I realize that it is for the Lord and in His name and for His cause that I am experiencing these things.

Paul when he talked to the Ephesians there at Miletus there on the beach, he spoke to them how that he was with them serving the Lord. And we need to realize that the Lord is our Master, we are serving Him. Whatever befalls us, befalls us for His sake and for His glory and that really we are His servants, and thus the results of our service are also because of that service. So I'm a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

and Timothy our brother ( Philemon 1:1 ),

Now when Paul wrote the Colossian epistle, he also joined Timothy's name with his, for Timothy was well known to the church in Colossi. He had been there with Paul ministering. It is also interesting as we complete the letter, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, Paul said, "My fellow laborers". These are the same men that Paul joins in his salutation in the Colossian epistle. So we know that they were both written at the same time.

By the time Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy in his second imprisonment, he said, "All of those from Asia have forsaken me" ( 2 Timothy 1:15 ), "Demas has forsaken me, having loved the present world" ( 2 Timothy 4:10 ), and so forth. So here with the epistle to Colossi, the same name that Paul joins with his in the closing salutation are joined in this epistle to Philemon. So he joins Timothy in the beginning as a greeting from Paul, and then also in the final salutation joins the same ones that he joins in the Colossian epistle. "To Timothy our brother,"

unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to our beloved Apphia ( Philemon 1:1-2 ),

Now Apphia was probably Philemon's wife. It is a feminine name and so it is probably the wife of Philemon that Paul is also greeting here at the beginning of the epistle.

and Archippus ( Philemon 1:2 )

Now there are some commentaries that suggest that Archippus was the son of Philemon and that he was in the ministry. Paul speaks of Archippus as being

a fellowsoldier ( Philemon 1:2 ),

And that was a phrase that was used of those who were also ministering together in the Gospel. And so the greeting probably to the household of Philemon, his wife Apphia, and his son Archippus.

and to the church that is in your house ( Philemon 1:2 ):

So at least Philemon had a home Bible study going in Colossi and there was a letter sent to the entire church of Colossi, but Paul here greets the church that is in his house. Or the word here is "eklesia," the assembly or those that are assembling in your house. In the early church they did not have church buildings. Quite often they met in homes and it was not at all uncommon to have a church within your house. And the church in its simplest form was constituted by two or three people gathering together in the name of Jesus. And Jesus said He would honor such a gathering. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst" ( Matthew 18:20 ). And so Philemon had a church or a fellowship, a home Bible study going in his own house.

And the grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ( Philemon 1:3 ).

So the typical Pauline greeting, "the grace, and the peace coupled together, from God and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers ( Philemon 1:4 ),

The men that God uses are men of prayer, among other things, and it is interesting how often Paul makes references to his own personal prayer life. For in each of the epistles, he makes mention how that he is praying for them continually. And in some of them, how he is interceding for them night and day. Paul's life was a life of prayer, constantly in prayer, for Paul realized the power of prayer. You see, here was Paul imprisoned in Rome. Sitting there, as they believed, in the Mamartine prison, chained to a Roman guard. Rome could not stop the witness of Jesus Christ. For Paul through prayer was continuing his work in all of the churches that he had established as he prayed for them.

You see, the interesting thing about prayer is that it is not bound to locality as his service. We think that serving the Lord is probably one of the most important things that we can do. More important than service is prayer because there are times when through uncontrolled circumstances, our service must be limited. I mean if you're sitting there in a jail cell and you're chained to a Roman guard, your service is going to be quite restricted. But they could not restrict the power of Paul's prayers.

And so he has continued to exercise a very dynamic and powerful ministry in prayer, as through prayer he went around to the various churches and to the various individuals mentioning them by name. And here he speaks of how he is mentioning Philemon always in his prayers. And so Paul had, no doubt, a very extensive prayer list as he prayed for the churches, the specific churches, and then as he prayed for those leaders within the churches by name, holding them up before the Lord. And so the tremendous power of prayer as he sat there in his jail cell, he was going out through prayer around the provinces of Asia, on into Greece, on back to Jerusalem and doing a work for God while confined in that prison cell.

Paul said,

Hearing of the love and the faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints ( Philemon 1:5 );

So Philemon was a blessed brother in Christ, one for whom Paul gave thanks because Paul heard of the love that Philemon had and of the faith that was demonstrated towards all the saints in the communication of his faith. Paul in the next verse speaks of the communication of this faith, which is faith in action. He demonstrated his faith to the church by what he did for the church and what he gave to those in the church and to those in need.

As James said, "You say you have faith: [well] you show me your works and I will show you your faith" ( James 2:18 ). And so Paul speaks of the faith that Philemon has that is actually proven or demonstrated in the fact that he is sharing with the church.

The word translated "communication" here is that Greek word "koinonia" which actually means the fellowship or the sharing, one, the sharing of what one has with others, the mutual sharing. Now Philemon probably was a very wealthy man, the fact that he had slaves. But he was also one who was willing to share what he had with others who didn't have, and thus it was a demonstration of his true faith.

That the communication [or the koinonia, the fellowship or the sharing] of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus ( Philemon 1:6 ).

So that work of Jesus Christ within his life was demonstrated by his life, and a life of love, and a life of sharing with those within the body of Christ.

Now Paul gets to the subject matter, Onesimus. "Wherefore" -- well, you see I jumped verse seven tonight.

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

And so Paul really rejoiced in the witness of this man's life and in the work of God within his life that was demonstrated through the works that he did.

Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient [or fitting], yet for love's sake I would rather beseech thee ( Philemon 1:8-9 ),

Now Paul was the apostle, he had the authority as an apostle to enjoin or to order a person to do a particular thing. And though Paul said, I could enjoin you. I could order you to do this, I'm not going to order you, I'm going to beg you. I'm beseeching you.

Jesus said to His disciples that the Gentiles loved to exercise lordship. They loved to rule over people. They loved to show their authority. But he said it shall not be so among you. For whoever would be the chief among you, let him become the servant of all.

And so here is Paul. He has authority as an apostle. Rather than coming on heavy with authority and saying, Now, Philemon, this is what I'm commanding you to do, he said, "I'm begging you to do this, Philemon". He's appealing really to the love that he knows Philemon has, to the compassion that this man has demonstrated. And how much better it is when someone comes appealing to the higher nature of love.

Now there are some who aren't moved much by love, and so the Bible says you got to save some by fear. And of course, some preachers really take that scripture to heart and they dangle people over the pit of hell every Sunday, in order that they might save some by fear. But there is another scripture that says, Don't you realize that it is "the goodness of God that brings a man to repentance" ( Romans 2:4 ).

Now some are saved by fear, but that is a base motivation. Paul said it's the love of Christ that constrains me. Drawn by the love of Christ, higher motivation. And so he chooses to appeal to the higher motivation, begging him because of the love that he knows he possesses. "Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to order thee to do that which is right or fitting, yet for love's sake I would rather beseech thee."

being such a one as Paul the aged ( Philemon 1:9 ),

How old was Paul? Paul at this point was probably in his late fifties or early sixties, but he had endured such hardship for the cause of Christ that his body was a wreck. And he spoke of his oft sicknesses many times. And so though he was only around sixty, he speaks of himself as the aged.

and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ ( Philemon 1:9 ).

Again, not acknowledging a prisoner of Rome, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

And I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds ( Philemon 1:10 ):

Now in the Greek text, the word Onesimus comes at the end of this sentence. So Paul in the Greek text said, "I beseech thee for my son whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus." Now Onesimus was probably a name that had a strong reaction in Philemon's heart and mind. He had been a slave. He evidently had stolen some money before he ran away. And Philemon was probably extremely upset over this, as you would be if someone that you had in your household that you trusted and all would suddenly take some money and run off.

When we were living in Huntington Beach, there was a little old man that came by and needing some help, and he was sort of a transient but our hearts went out to him. And so we fixed up a place for him to stay and we fed him and took care of him and gave him some money. And we came home one day and found that he was gone and my power tools were also missing. Now for several months you mention that man's name to me and my blood boiled. I mean, I would have loved to have gotten hold of that fellow again. That was the best body grinder and my tools were just, you know, I really, they were tools that I had inherited from my brother when he was killed in a plane crash and I always had been a craftsman and loved working with tools. I couldn't afford them myself but when I got them, you know, I really prized them and cherished them and to have this guy rip off my power -- after we had done these kindnesses to him, shown him nothing but kindness and yet he turns around and rips -- oh man, I'll tell you.

And so Philemon probably had this same kind of reaction anytime you mentioned the name Onesimus, he's, "Oh boy, if I could just get my hands on that fellow", you know. And so Paul is careful not to mention his name at the beginning of the sentence. I beseech you for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus. So he cushions the name by indicating that there has been a change in this fellow, that change that always takes place when one comes to know the power of Jesus Christ within their life. And Paul goes on to speak of the change that transpired in the life of Onesimus, but he calls him my son, begotten in my bonds,

which in time past [he said] was to thee unprofitable, but now he is profitable to you and to me ( Philemon 1:11 ):

Now I want to beseech you for this young man. I know he was unprofitable. I know what he did, but he has changed. He is now very profitable to me and also to you.

And I am sending him again: and I am asking you to receive him, that is, he who has been begotten from me ( Philemon 1:12 ):

He is part of me. He is out of my own heart.

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel ( Philemon 1:13 ):

Now I know Philemon you would like to be here to be ministered to me, because of these bonds. Paul still had a great work to do, but he would send those on errands. He was bound by a chain to the prison guard. But he was having them write letters for him. He was sending them out on missions and errands. And he said, I know Philemon that you would like to be here helping me in this condition, but he's been here representing you, doing the work that you would like to be doing for me while I am here in these bonds.

Onesimus being a slave, of course, had that miserable lot in life of a slave. One of the most horrible and heinous things that man could ever do to his fellow man is to bring one into slavery. My heart goes out to those people who have become the slaves of the state in the communist country. One of the greatest evils of a man is the oppression of a fellow man.

In the Roman empire slavery was in deed a horrible crime against humanity. During the time that Paul wrote this epistle there were sixty million slaves in the Roman empire. There was always the fear that these sixty million people may rise up in mass, and it was always a constant threat to the Roman Empire. And thus whenever a slave showed any sign of rebellion, such as running away, he was dealt with extremely severely. Usually he was put to death in order to create fear in the hearts of the rest of the slaves, that this is what happens if you dare to rebel against the authority. The least thing that would happen would be an "F" branded into the forehead with a hot branding iron to create the scar so that always he would have the mark of the "fugetivos," that of a fugitive, the mark of the runaway slave.

A slave had no rights, no rights of ownership, no rights of any kind. There was no one a slave could appeal to. If you were beaten, if you were robbed, whatever, you couldn't appeal to anybody. There was no authority to protect you as a slave. Your master had the sole and complete authority over your existence, which he had the right to terminate at any time he desired. Any time he wanted to, he could kill you and he would not have to answer to any charges. Slaves were often beaten, kept in the most miserable condition by sadists who delighted in torturing them. A miserable lot in deed. Of course, those who were masters were enjoined by Paul in the Ephesian epistle how to treat their slaves with kindness and love.

But with Philemon, Paul is making an appeal now. Philemon could if he desired put Onesimus to death. He should have branded him according to the customs with the "F" in his forehead. But Paul is saying, I want you to receive him. I would have retained him with me that in your stead, in your place he might be ministering to me here in my bonds, but without your permission I would do nothing that you benefit should not be as it were of necessity but willing.

God does not want anything we do for Him or give to Him to be given out of necessity or out of pressure. God never uses pressure tactics on man. Now man often uses pressure tactics. I get some extremely high pressured letters filled with hype from a lot of these evangelists who would have me to believe that God is broke. And they are telling me how much money to send and to send it immediately. And even suggesting that if I don't have it immediately available to go down to the bank and borrow it and send it to them to bail God out of the jam that he is in, because He overspent again last month. Pressure.

Paul said I don't want to receive anything from you by necessity by pressure, by manipulation. Now I would have liked to have kept him with me, but I wouldn't do it unless you gave your permission, because I want what is done; though he would have been very helpful to me. I want what you do to me not to be out of pressure, not out of necessity. I want you to do it willingly. And so Paul talking about our giving in his Corinthian epistle said it shouldn't be of necessity, of pressure, but every man should purpose and so let him give, for God loves a cheerful, or in the Greek, a "hilarious" giver. So what you can give to God hilariously give, but what you can't give hilariously keep. It is better that you keep it than to give it to God grudgingly. God doesn't want anything done in a grudging way.

Now I can understand that I don't want people to do things in a grudging way. I have had people give stuff to me and then I heard that they were going around grudging about what they give. I take it back and say, Hey I really don't need this. Take it back. Oh no, it's -- No, I won't keep it. You don't want people to gripe. If they want to give because they love you, great, but if they are going to gripe about it and begrudge what they have given then I'd rather they not give. That is why when this fellow that gave us the house in Hawaii, he came up to us and said I would like my house back. We gave it back to him. I don't want anything that a person has remorse afterwards that he has done it. And the same with God.

You want to serve the Lord, serve Him with a joyful, happy, willing heart. If you want to give to God, give with a joyful, happy, willing heart. And if you can't give with a joyful, happy, willing heart, don't give. Better not to give because you're not going to get any reward for it anyhow. You give to God and you say, Oh, here You are, God, and you give something to God and you go around griping about it, God just marks it off. Just as though you hadn't given it. You won't get any credit for it, so you might as well keep it.

So Paul, I would like to have kept him with me, he was really a blessing, a benefit to me.

But I wouldn't do it without your permission; because I want this benefit to me, not to come as a pressure or a necessity, but willingly ( Philemon 1:14 ).

I want you if -- I want it to be from your heart. You willingly doing it.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever ( Philemon 1:15 );

Now we don't know what God is working out so many times in our lives when we have disappointments. When Onesimus took the money and split, Philemon was no doubt very upset. And he probably was saying, Why would God allow him to rip me off like that and take off? Why would God allow this to happen and all?

And Paul says, look, you don't know. Maybe this was all a part of God's plan to reach Onesimus with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe you lost him for a little bit that you might gain him forever. For it was while he was in Rome that he came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Now he's a brother in Christ, an eternal brother in Christ. So you lost him for a moment but you gained him forever. He's now an eternal brother in the bond of Jesus Christ.

An interesting thing, during the hippie counterculture revolution, thousands upon thousands of young people left home. Many of them ran away from home. And the parents were so upset and disturbed their children had ran away from home. Well, many of them in their searching found Jesus Christ as the answer for their quest of life. And their parents lost them for a little while but they gained them as eternal brothers and sisters in the Lord. God did the work in their heart.

Sometimes a husband or a wife leaves. And there is such sorrow and grief. But you don't know what God is working out. You don't know, but what maybe they've left for a season that God might do an eternal work within their lives and bring things together as He wants them to be.

It is important that we learn to just commit our ways unto the Lord, every situation. Well, Lord, You're in control. My life belongs to you. And I know, Lord, that You are controlling the circumstances that surround my life. And so work out Your plan and rather than getting all upset, rather than fretting, getting angry and all, it's best that we just commit it to the Lord and say, Well, Lord, You're in control and I don't know what You're doing but I just trust You, Lord. Now that is where faith comes in.

If I only can believe God when I can see what He's doing, when I can understand His work, that isn't faith and that doesn't take any faith. What takes faith is to have that rest and confidence when things seem to be going completely against me. But they oftentimes only seem to be going completely against me as when Jacob said, "All things are against me". Why did he cry that? Because he didn't see everything. He said all things but he was wrong. All things weren't against him. If he only knew the truth, some of the greatest, most happy moments of his life were just around the corner. That fellow down there in Egypt that seems to be so mean and hard is in reality his son Joseph who he has bereaved for so many years and he's going to soon discover that his son is alive and he's going to be embracing Joseph again. He doesn't know the whole picture. He only sees a part of it and he cries out in dismay.

And we, so often, seeing just a part of the picture cry out in dismay. All things are against me. Oh, no, no, no, you don't know the full cycle. You don't know the full story. You don't know what God is working out. Just wait, trust in the Lord, rest in Him and let God work it out and you'll see that God's plan was far wiser than anything you could have devised as He began to put together that eternal work in the hearts and the lives of your friends or in your own heart and life as you learn to trust in Him more completely. It is so important that we learn to just commit things unto the Lord, even those things that seem to be against us.

And so Paul's rationale is a very reasonable rationale, looking at the consequences of Onesimus' running away. The consequence was that he came to Jesus Christ and became a brother in Christ and will share eternity now together with Philemon. The end result is that he has become now a profitable person who was once unprofitable. And so I want you to receive him, Paul said.

Not now as a slave ( Philemon 1:16 ),

Paul is asking Philemon to release him from this obligation of a slave.

but above a slave ( Philemon 1:16 ),

I want you to receive him as

a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more unto you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord ( Philemon 1:16 )?

So Paul is asking for more than just forgiveness for Onesimus, he's asking for a total pardon even from the slavery that he once endured. I want you to receive him, not as a slave anymore, more than a slave. I want you to receive him as a beloved brother. Release him from that slavery.

If you count me therefore a friend ( Philemon 1:17 ),

A co-laborer. I want you to

receive him as myself ( Philemon 1:17 ).

That you would treat him with the same kindness that you would treat me and have treated me. The same love, that you would do for him the things that you've done for me.

If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put that on my account ( Philemon 1:18 );

You just charge it to me.

For I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it ( Philemon 1:19 ):

And here we have Paul the intercessor, interceding with Philemon concerning this unprofitable slave who has now been converted to Jesus Christ, asking his release and release from slavery, to be received as a brother, to be received even above that as Paul himself. And to be forgiven any debt that he owes or at least that debt to be charged to Paul. Paul promises he'll reimburse. "I will pay". That's intercession.

Now the Bible says that Jesus is "able to save to the uttermost, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for us" ( Hebrews 7:25 ). Isaiah prophesied that he would make intercession for the transgressors. Paul in Romans eight says, "Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who has died, yea rather, is risen again, and is even at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us" ( Romans 8:34 ). Jesus is not condemning you, does not condemn you, has not condemned you, will not condemn you.

Jesus said, "I didn't come to condemn the world but that the world through me might be saved" ( John 3:17 ). Who is he then that condemns? It isn't Jesus. He's making intercession for you. And even as Paul interceded for Onesimus, so does Jesus intercede for you. "Father, I want you to receive them, no longer as sinners but as those who have been washed and cleansed as brothers, eternal sons of God. Father, I want you to treat them even as You treat me". Glorified together with Him. Seated together with Him in heavenly places. The Father's blessing and grace and goodness to us as though we were His sons. And then finally, "if they owe you anything, put it to my account".

And so all of my sins are charged to Jesus. All of my guilt is charged to Him. God laid on Him the iniquities of us all. If they owe you anything, put it to my account, I will pay. And Jesus paid it all, "all to Him I owe". I love the last verse of that song, And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, Jesus died my soul to save. My lips shall still repeat, "for Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe". Sin had left a crimson stain but He washed it white as snow. And in His intercession for you and for me, He is asking that we receive with Him the honor and the glory of the eternal kingdom. Let all of our guilt be transferred to His account. All of our debt He has accepted the responsibility for.

So Paul said, I have written it with my own hand. I will repay it.

however I will make mention of the fact that you owe me even your own life ( Philemon 1:19 ).

Evidently, Philemon was one of Paul's converts. Paul had the opportunity of sharing with him the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and so he owed to Paul his conversion, that gift of eternal life that he had because Paul was the instrument God used in bringing him to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. So if he owes you anything, put it on my account. However, I'll remind you that you owe me quite a bit, you know, even your very own life.

Yes, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord ( Philemon 1:20 ).

Now in our culture and in our modern use of the word "bowels", it is difficult to understand why Paul would say such a thing as "refresh my bowels in the Lord." But we've got to realize that we're dealing with a different culture and different concepts of cultures. And according to the beliefs, and they may not be so far from right, according to the beliefs of the culture at that time, the deepest emotions of a man were not felt in the head but were felt in the region of the stomach.

When the grief was extremely deep, it was felt down in the area of the stomach rather than in the head. When the experiences of joy hit the sublime point, it wasn't an experience that went on in your brain; it was an experience that went on deep inside of you, in the deep areas of you which they call the bowels. And so we are told to have bowels of compassion and bowels of mercy. And now Paul is speaking about joy supreme or the deepest kind of joy. This is the kind I want that is felt in the deep area.

Have you ever had an experience emotional so deep that you felt it sort of grab your stomach? You ever laugh so hard that you held your stomach? And because of that, they thought of the region of the stomach as being the area of the greatest joy and laughter and all. When you really get to laughing, man, it hurts your side. Doesn't hurt your head. You don't feel, you feel down here. And of course, we in our cheerful expressions and so forth, probably a carry over of the Victorian age, we're reluctant to talk about certain portions of the body, and thus it does sound a little foreign to us but the reference is to joy or sorrow or whatever in the deepest area of a man's being. And so it is emotions of the deepest sort that he is referring to here. Let me have joy.

Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will do more than I say ( Philemon 1:21 ).

Now this is known as a presumptive clause. And any of you who are aware of salesmanship knows what a presumptive clause is. You have laid out all of the merchandise and here's a young girl and she's buying some things for her hope chest. And so she wants some towels. So she's in looking. She doesn't know if she's going to buy or not. But she's looking at towels and you show her the quality and you tell her how nice they are. And then you get out your little order pad and you say, Now which colors did you want? That's presumption. I'm presuming that she is going to buy them, so what color do you want, you know. Presumptive clause.

So Paul is using this presumptive clause on Philemon. I have confidence in your obedience, having this confidence in your obedience, I wrote unto you knowing that you're going to do what I ask. You're even going to do more. End of subject of Onesimus.

Now the close of the epistle.

Now also I want you to prepare me a place to stay: for I trust through your prayers that I shall be given unto you ( Philemon 1:22 ).

So fix up my room, I'll be there by the grace of God before long.

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen ( Philemon 1:23-25 ).

And so these same ones that Paul joins with his name in the greeting to the Colossian church are joined in the greeting to Philemon as we come to the close of this little personal letter.

Next week Hebrews chapters one and two.

Father, how grateful we are for the great high priest, Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven for us to there stand as our representative and to make intercession for us. How thankful we are, Lord, that You have taken our case and You have chosen to represent us before the Father. We love You and we appreciate all You've done for us. And we thank You, Lord, that one day You will present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Lord, You're so good, so good to us and we thank You for it. Amen.

Now may the Lord be with you and bless you this week abundantly. May you experience real growth in your walk with Jesus Christ. May the grace of God abound unto you in all things as you experience again the touch of God's love and of His Spirit as He strengthens you, and as He guides you, and as He helps you, and as He works in you that perfect work. In Jesus' name. "

Contending for the Faith

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

Whom I would have retained with me: Paul found Onesimus useful in his work and would have liked to have kept him in Rome. The apostle had put this new convert to work in the Lord’s service immediately.

that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: The things that Onesimus was doing for Paul were the very things Philemon would have done if he had been with the apostle during his imprisonment. Paul also may be saying that he regarded the works of this servant the same as if Philemon had done them himself.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

III. PLEA FOR ONESIMUS vv. 8-21

Paul appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus back and to forgive him. He did this to enable Onesimus to fulfill his obligations to Philemon and to encourage Philemon to benefit from Onesimus’ conversion rather than to be stumbled by it.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Onesimus had so endeared himself to Paul that his departure was an extremely painful prospect for the apostle. Paul could have justified keeping the slave with him, but he judged that Onesimus’ obligation to return to his owner was more important. Furthermore, Paul did not really have authority over the slave; that rested with his master. If Paul had kept Onesimus with him, Philemon would have felt obligated by his regard for Paul to let his slave stay with the apostle. The service Paul probably had in mind for Onesimus was to proclaim the gospel, not to perform menial prison duties for Paul. [Note: O’Brien, p. 294.] Nevertheless, Paul wanted Philemon to respond to his slave freely.

"The principle of consideration for others here manifested by Paul is a factor of vital importance today for effective Christian leadership. Many are the difficulties which might be avoided if those in places of authority in Christian work would follow Paul’s example in this." [Note: Hiebert, p. 113.]

"In the eastern part of the Roman Empire [including Asia Minor] during this period, fugitive slaves who sought sanctuary in a household were likely to be given temporary protection by the householder until either a reconciliation with the master had been effected or else the slave had been put up for sale in the market and the resulting price paid to the owner . . ." [Note: O’Brien, p. 292.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

B. Paul’s motives vv. 12-16

Barclay's Daily Study Bible

Chapter 1

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

1:1-7 This is a letter from Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, the brother, to Philemon our well-beloved and our fellow-worker; and to Apphia, the sister, and to Archippus, our fellow-soldier, and to the Church in your house. Grace be to you and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The letter to Philemon is extraordinary, for in it we see the extraordinary sight of Paul asking a favour. No man ever asked fewer favours than he did, but in this letter he is asking a favour, not so much for himself, as for Onesimus, who had taken the wrong turning and whom Paul was helping to find the way back.

The beginning of the letter is unusual. Paul usually identifies himself as Paul an apostle; but on this occasion he is writing as a friend to a friend and the official title is dropped. He is not writing as Paul the apostle but as Paul the prisoner of Christ. Here at the very beginning Paul lays aside all appeal to authority and makes his appeal to sympathy and to love alone.

We do not know who Apphia and Archippus were, but it has been suggested that Apphia was the wife and Archippus the son of Philemon, for they, too, would be very much interested in the return of Onesimus, the runaway slave. Certainly Archippus had seen Christian service with Paul, for Paul speaks of him as his fellow-campaigner.

Philemon was clearly a man from whom it was easy to ask a favour. He was a man whose faith in Christ and love to the brethren all men knew, and the story of them had reached even Rome, where Paul was in prison. His house must have been like an oasis in a desert, for, as Paul puts it, he had refreshed the hearts of God's people. It is a lovely thing to go down to history as a man in whose house God's people were rested and refreshed.

In this passage there is one verse which is very difficult to translate and about which much has been written. It is Philemon 1:6 which the Revised Standard Version translates: "I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ." The phrase translated the sharing of your faith, is very difficult. The Greek is koinonia (2842) pisteos (4102). As far as we can see, there are three possible meanings. (a) Koinonia (2842) can mean a sharing in; it can, for instance, mean partnership in a business. So this may mean your share in the Christian faith; and it might be a prayer that the faith which Philemon and Paul share in may lead Philemon deeper and deeper into Christian truth. (b) Koinonia (2842) can mean fellowship; and this may be a prayer that Christian fellowship may lead Philemon ever more deeply into the truth. (c) Koinonia (2842) can mean the act of sharing; in that case the verse will mean: "It is my prayer that your way of generously sharing all that you have will lead you more and more deeply into the knowledge of the good things which lead to Christ."

We think that the third meaning is correct. Obviously Christian generosity was a characteristic of Philemon; he had love to God's people and in his home they were rested and refreshed. And now Paul is going to ask the generous man to be more generous yet. There is a great thought here, if this interpretation is correct. It means that we learn about Christ by giving to others. It means that by emptying ourselves we are filled with Christ. It means that to be open-handed and generous-hearted is the surest way to learn more and more of the wealth of Christ. The man who knows most of Christ is not the intellectual scholar, not even the saint who spends his days in prayer, but the man who moves in loving generosity amongst his fellow-men.

THE REQUEST OF LOVE ( Philemon 1:8-17 )

1:8-17 I could well be bold in Christ to give you orders as to where your duty lies, but for love's sake I would rather put it in the form of a request, I, Paul, such as I am, an old man now, a prisoner of Christ. My request to you is for my child, whom I begat in my bonds--I mean Onesimus, who was once useless to you, but who is now useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, and that is the same as to send you a bit of my own heart. I could have wished to keep him beside myself, that he might serve me for you in the bonds which the gospel has brought to me; but I did not wish to do anything without your approval; so that the boon which I ask might not be forcibly extracted but willingly given. It may be that he was parted from you for a time that you might get him back for ever; and that you might get him back, no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave--a well-beloved brother, most of all to me, and how much more to you, both as a man and a Christian. If you consider me as a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

Paul, being Paul, could have demanded what he wished from Philemon, but he will only humbly request. A gift must be given freely and with good-will; if it is coerced it is no gift at all.

In Philemon 1:9 Paul describes himself. The King James Version translates--and we have retained the translation--Paul the aged, and a prisoner of Christ. A good number of scholars wish to substitute another translation for aged. It is argued that Paul could not really be described as an old man. He certainly was not sixty years old; he was somewhere between that and fifty-five. But on this ground those who object to the translation aged are wrong. The word which Paul uses of himself is presbutes (4246), and Hippocrates, the great Greek medical writer, says that a man is presbutes (4246) from the age of forty-nine to the age of fifty-six. Between these years he is what we might call senior; only after that does he become a geron (compare 1094), the Greek for an old man.

But what is the other translation suggested? There are two words which are very like each other; their spelling is only one letter different and their pronunciation exactly the same. They are presbutes (4246), old, and presbeutes (compare 4243), ambassador. It is the verb of this word which Paul uses in Ephesians 6:20, when he says, "I am an ambassador in bonds." If we think that the word ought to be presbeutes (4246), Paul is saying, "I am an ambassador, although I am an ambassador in chains." But it is far more likely that we should retain the translation old, for in this letter Paul is appealing all the time, not to any office he holds or to any authority he enjoys, but only to love. It is not the ambassador who is speaking, but the man who has lived hard and is now lonely and tired.

Paul makes his request in Philemon 1:10 and it is for Onesimus. We notice how he delays pronouncing the name of Onesimus, almost as if he hesitated to do so. He does not make any excuses for him; he freely admits he was a useless character; but he makes one claim--he is useful now. Christianity, as James Denney used to say, is the power which can make bad men good.

It is significant to note that Paul claims that in Christ the useless person has been made useful. The last thing Christianity is designed to produce is vague, inefficient people; it produces people who are of use and can do a job better than they ever could if they did not know Christ. It was said of someone that "he was so heavenly-minded that he was no earthly use." True Christianity makes a man heavenly-minded and useful upon earth at one and the same time.

Paul calls Onesimus the child whom he has begotten in his bonds. A Rabbinic saying runs, "If one teaches the son of his neighbour the law, the Scripture reckons this the same as though he had begotten him." To lead a man to Jesus Christ is as great a thing as to bring him into the world. Happy is the parent who brings his child into life and who then leads him into life eternal; for then he will be his child twice over.

As we have noted in the introduction to this letter, there is a double meaning in Philemon 1:12. "I am sending him back to you," writes Paul. But the verb anapempeim (375) does not mean only to send back, it also means to refer a case to; and Paul is saying to Philemon: "I am referring this case of Onesimus to you, that you may give a verdict on it that will match the love you ought to have." Onesimus must have become very dear to Paul in these months in prison, for he pays him the great tribute of saying that to send him to Philemon is like sending a bit of his own heart.

Then comes the appeal. Paul would have liked to keep Onesimus but he sends him back to Philemon, for he will do nothing without his consent. Here again is a significant thing. Christianity is not out to help a man escape his past and run away from it; it is out to enable him face his past and rise above it. Onesimus had run away. Well, then, he must go back, face up to the consequences of what he did, accept them and rise above them. Christianity is never escape; it is always conquest.

But Onesimus comes back with a difference. He went away as a heathen slave; he comes back as a brother in Christ. It is going to be hard for Philemon to regard a runaway slave as a brother; but that is exactly what Paul demands. "If you agree," says Paul, "that I am your partner in the work of Christ and that Onesimus is my son in the faith, you must receive him as you would receive myself."

Here again is something very significant. The Christian must always welcome back the man who has made a mistake. Too often we regard the man who has taken the wrong turning with suspicion and show that we are never prepared to trust him again. We believe that God can forgive him but we, ourselves, find it too difficult. It has been said that the most uplifting thing about Jesus Christ is that he trusts us on the very field of our defeat. When a man has made a mistake, the way back can be very hard, and God cannot readily forgive the man who, in his self-righteousness or lack of sympathy, makes it harder.

THE CLOSING APPEAL AND THE CLOSING BLESSING ( Philemon 1:18-25 )

1:18-25 If he has done you any damage or owes you anything, put it down to my account. I, Paul, write with my own hand--I will repay it, not to mention to you that you owe your very self to me. Yes, my brother, let me make some Christian profit out of you! Refresh my heart in Christ. It is with complete confidence in your willingness to listen that I write to you, for I know well that you will do more than I ask.

It is one of the laws of life that someone has to pay the price of sin. God can and does forgive, but not even he can free a man from the consequences of what he has done. It is the glory of the Christian faith that, just as Jesus Christ shouldered the sins of all men, so there are those who in love are prepared to help pay for the consequences of the sins of those who are dear to them. Christianity never entitled a man to default on his debts. Onesimus must have stolen from Philemon, as well as run away from him. If he had not helped himself to Philemon's money, it is difficult to see how he could ever have covered the long road to Rome. Paul writes with his own hand that he will be responsible and will repay in full.

It is interesting to note that this is an exact instance of a cheirographon (5498), the kind of acknowledgment met in Colossians 2:14. This is a handwriting against Paul, an obligation voluntarily accepted and signed.

It is of interest to note that Paul was able to pay Onesimus' debts. Every now and again we get glimpses which show that he was not without financial resources. Felix kept him prisoner for he had hopes of a bribe to let him go ( Acts 24:26); Paul was able to hire a house during his imprisonment in Rome ( Acts 28:30). It may well be that, if he had not chosen to live the life of a missionary of Christ, he might have lived a settled life of reasonable ease and comfort on his own resources. This may well have been another of the things which he gave up for Christ.

In Philemon 1:19-20 we hear Paul speaking with a flash of humour. "Philemon," he says, "you owe your soul to me, for it was I who brought you to Christ. Won't you let me make some profit out of you now?" With an affectionate smile Paul is saying, "Philemon, you got a lot out of me--let me get something out of you now!"

Philemon 1:21 is typical of Paul's dealings with people. It was his rule always to expect the best from others; he never really doubted that Philemon would grant his request. It is a good rule. To expect the best from others is often to be more than half-way to getting it; if we make it clear that we expect little, we will probably get just that.

In Philemon 1:22 there speaks Paul's optimism. Even in prison he believes it possible that through the prayers of his friends freedom may come again. He has changed his plans now. Before he was imprisoned it had been his intention to go to far off Spain ( Romans 15:24; Romans 15:28). Maybe after the years in prison, two at Caesarea and other two at Rome, Paul felt that he must leave the distant places to younger men and that for him, as he drew near the end, old friends were best.

In Philemon 1:23 there is a list of greetings from the same comrades as we meet in Colossians, and so there comes the blessing, and Philemon and Onesimus alike are commended to the grace of Christ.

-Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)

FURTHER READING

Philemon

J. B. Lightfoot, St Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and Philemon (MmC; G)

C. F. D. Moule, The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians and to Philemon (CGT; G)

E. F. Scott, The Epistles to Colossians, Philemon and Ephesians (MC; E)

Abbreviations

CGT: Cambridge Greek Testament

ICC: International Critical Commentary

MC: Moffatt Commentary

TC: Tyndale Commentary

E: English Text

G: Greek Text

-Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)

Gann's Commentary on the Bible

Philemon 1:13

Whom I would have retained -- Would gladly have kept him with me to render for thee the service you would be glad to give me while I am in chains, only(14) - PNT

I would -- Lit., “I was wishing”; the imperfect indicates a half-purpose, stopped by other considerations. Lightfoot compares for similar imperfects Romans 9:3; Galatians 4:20. - CBSC

on behalf of you -- Paul wants Philemon to know that Onesimus has helped him and his ministry. In the Greek text of Philemon, Paul’s remark here is worded as if Philemon had sent Onesimus to assist Paul. - FSB

    Paul’s need for someone to assist him as a prisoner is greater than any need Philemon might have of his slave. He wants to keep Onesimus with him, but he wants Philemon to make the decision himself (2 Corinthians 9:7). In sending back Onesimus, Paul demonstrates the kind of unselfish love that he wants Philemon to show in response. - NIVZSB

Because Paul was a financially independent person, he endured criticism from several quarters. Yet as the years went by he was able to receive help from some churches he ministered to. This help was in two specific ways: (1) the church of Philippi (cf. Philippians 1:5, Philippians 1:7; Philippians 4:15) and possibly the church of Thessalonica (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:9) sent him money to help with his expenses in prison and (2) the church at Philippi sent a representative, Epaphroditus, to help Paul, (cf. Philippians 2:25). In a similar sense Paul saw Onesimus as a gift from Philemon and the church at Colossae. - Utley

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Whom I would have retained with me,.... At Rome, where the apostle was a prisoner:

that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the Gospel; the apostle was in bonds, not for any crime, for any immorality he had been guilty of, but for the sake of the Gospel, for professing and preaching that; for this he was an ambassador in bonds, as he elsewhere says, Ephesians 6:20. Now he would have kept Onesimus with him, either to have waited upon him, in his bonds, and to have provided for him the necessaries of life; or to have assisted him in the ministration of the word, in the room of Philemon, who, had he been there, would have been employed in such service; so that if the apostle had retained him, he would have been acting not for himself, but in the room of his master, and doing what he should have done, had he been on the spot. This the apostle observes to prevent an objection that might have been made; that since Onesimus was become so profitable to him, why did he send him back? why did he not keep him for his own service? this he obviates and removes, by signifying he should have done it, but for the following reason.

Light of Israel Bible Commentary

A SLAVE AS A DEAR BROTHER

I am sending him – who is my very heart – back to you. Philemon 1:12

The word for sending is the Greek anepempsa, and it has the technical and legal meaning of "referring the case" to another person.<footnote>Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1398.</footnote> In reality, it was a legal matter that Paul was referring. In addition to the legal matter, it was also a heart matter for the apostle. He dearly loved Onesimus and could not conceive of being without him.

Nevertheless, Onesimus had to go back to his master and face what he had done. Barclay says, "Christianity is not out to help a man escape his past and run away from it; it is out to enable him face his past and rise above it."<footnote>Barclay, The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, p. 318.</footnote> Christians cannot dodge civil relations and responsibilities. Just because we are now free in Christ we cannot shirk our new Christian responsibilities.

The Bible gives specific instructions to believing slaves and to their masters. Slaves are instructed to submit and obey (Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; 1 Peter 2:18). They are not to show disrespect to their masters (1 Timothy 6:2). They are not to obey only when their masters are looking but at all times (Ephesians 6:5-8). Masters are to treat slaves kindly (Ephesians 6:9) and they are to provide well for them (Colossians 4:1). We must note that there are some very good guidelines here for employer and employee relationships today.

Paul was especially careful in sending Onesimus back home. He was accompanied by Tychicus (Colossians 4:7-9). No doubt, this precaution was taken because he was a runaway slave and the slave-catchers would have been on the lookout for him.<footnote>Coffman, Commentary on Philemon, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, v. 1:12.</footnote> They probably operated much like our bounty hunters do today. Of course, a slave also could be stolen. An average slave was worth about five hundred denarii and a denarius was a day's wage for a working man. Some slaves sold for a lot more if they were skilled or educated.<footnote>Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 798.</footnote>

"I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary" (1:13-14). Paul dearly wanted to keep Onesimus and we can sense that throughout this letter. Such a thing was possible in Roman law. Slaves could be formally assigned to another person for a period of time and this was not uncommon.<footnote>Barker & Kohlenberger, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary,Vol. 2, p. 937.</footnote> Just as some slaves were assigned to work in the temple of certain gods and goddesses, Paul is asking that Philemon might free Onesimus to labor in the gospel.<footnote>Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, p. 646.</footnote> Onesimus had served as a good substitute for the ministry Philemon might have done for Paul, had he been in Rome.

"Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord" (1:15-16). Paul is suggesting that there might have been a divine purpose in the escape of Onesimus. When he left he was not useful and now, because of Jesus, he is. He left as a slave but he returns as a brother in Christ. Philemon now would be both master and brother in the Lord.

Some have called this verse the heart of the epistle, for in it we get a clear picture of what Christianity has done for the world. Barclay sums it up saying, "What Christianity did was to introduce a new relationship between individuals in which all external differences were abolished. Christians are one body whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free…When a relationship like that enters into life, social grades and classes cease to matter."<footnote>Barclay, The Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, p. 306.</footnote>

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      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.

      We have here,

      I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, Philemon 1:8-21; Philemon 1:8-21. The

      1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the illative wherefore: "Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine also, in forgiving and receiving him, who is now a convert, and so a saint indeed, and meet for thy favour and love." Observe, A disposition to do good, together with past instances and expressions of it, is a good handle to take hold of for pressing to more. "Be not weary of well-doing, go on as thou art able, and as new objects and occasions occur, to do the same still." The

      2nd Argument is from the authority of him that was now making this request to him: I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,Philemon 1:8; Philemon 1:8. The apostles had under Christ great power in the church over the ordinary ministers, as well as the members of it, for edification; they might require of them what was fit, and were therein to be obeyed, which Philemon should consider. This was a matter within the compass of the apostle's power to require, though he would not in this instance act up to it. Observe, Ministers, whatever their power be in the church, are to use prudence in the exercise of it; they may not unseasonably, nor further than is requisite, put it forth; in all they must use godly wisdom and discretion. Wherefore this may be a

      3rd Argument, Waiving the authority which yet he had to require, he chooses to entreat it of him (Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:9): Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee. Observe, It is no disparagement for those who have power to be condescending, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, they might command; so does Paul here, though an apostle: he entreats where he might enjoin, he argues from love rather than authority, which doubtless must carry engaging influence with it. And especially, which may be a

      4th Argument, When any circumstance of the person pleading gives additional force to his petition, as here: Being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Years bespeak respect; and the motions of such, in things lawful and fit, should be received with regard. The request of an aged apostle, and now suffering for Christ and his gospel, should be tenderly considered. "If thou wilt do any thing for a poor aged prisoner, to comfort me in my bonds, and make my chain lighter, grant me this which I desire: hereby in a manner you will do honour to Christ in the person of an aged suffering servant of his, which doubtless he will take as done to himself." He makes also a

      5th Argument, From the spiritual relation now between Onesimus and himself: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,Philemon 1:10; Philemon 1:10. "Though of right and in a civil respect he by thy servant, yet in a spiritual sense he is now a son to me, God having made me the instrument of his conversion, even here, where I am a prisoner for Christ's sake." Thus does God sometimes honour and comfort his suffering servants, not only working good in themselves by their sufferings, exercising and improving thereby their own graces, but making them a means of much spiritual good to others, either of their conversion, as of Onesimus here, or of their confirmation and strengthening, as Philippians 1:14, Many brethren, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word of the Lord without fear. When God's servants are bound, yet his word and Spirit are not bound; spiritual children may then be born to them. The apostle lays an emphasis here: My son, whom I have begotten in my bonds; he was dear to him, and he hoped would be so to Philemon, under this consideration. Prison-mercies are sweet and much set by. Paul makes an argument to Philemon from this dear relation that now was between Onesimus and him, his son begotten in his bonds. And a

      6th Argument is from Philemon's own interest: Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me,Philemon 1:11; Philemon 1:11. Observe, (1.) Unsanctified persons are unprofitable persons; they answer not the great end of their being and relations. Grace makes good for somewhat: "In time past unprofitable, but now profitable, inclined and fitted to be so, and will be so to thee, his master, if thou receive him, as he has since his conversion been here to me, ministering to me in my confinement." There seems an allusion to the name Onesimus, which signifies profitable. Now he will answer to his name. It may be noted also how the apostle speaks in this matter, not as Onesimus's former case and conduct might warrant; he had wronged his master, and ran away from him, and lived as if he were his own and not his; yet as God covers the sins of penitents, forgives and does not upbraid, so should men. How tenderly does Paul here speak! Not that Onesimus's sin was small, nor that he would have any, much less himself, to take it so; but having been humbled for it, and doubtless taken shame to himself on account thereof, the apostle now would not sink his spirit by continuing to load and burden him therewith, but speaks thus tenderly when he is pleading with Philemon not to make severe reflections on his servant's misconduct, but to forgive. (2.) What happy changes conversion makes--of evil good! of unprofitable useful! Religious servants are a treasure in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, promoting the interests of those whom they serve, and managing all they can for the best. This then is the argument here urged: "It will now be for thy advantage to receive him: thus changed, as he is, thou mayest expect him to be a dutiful and faithful servant, though in time past he was not so." Whereupon,

      7th Argument, He urges Philemon from the strong affection that he had to Onesimus. He had mentioned the spiritual relation before, My son begotten in my bonds; and now he signifies how dear he was to him: Thou therefore receive him, that is my own bowels,Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:12. "I love him as I do myself, and have sent him back to thee for this end, that thou shouldst receive him; do it therefore for my sake, receive him as one thus dear to me." Observe, Even good men may sometimes need great earnestness and entreaty to lay their passions, let go their resentments, and forgive those who have injured and offended them. Some have thought it to look this way, when Paul is so pathetic and earnest, mustering up so many pleas and arguments to gain what he requests. Philemon, a Phrygian, might perhaps be naturally of a rough and difficult temper, and thence need no little pains in touching all the springs that might move him to forgiveness and reconciliation; but rather should we strive to be like God, who is slow to anger, ready to forgive, and abundant in pardons. And again, an

      8th Argument is from the apostle's denying himself in sending back Onesimus: though he might have presumed upon Philemon's leave to detain him longer, yet he would not, Philemon 1:13; Philemon 1:14. Paul was now in prison, and wanted a friend or servant to act for him, and assist him, for which he found Onesimus fit and ready, and therefore would have detained him to minister to him, instead of Philemon himself, whom if he had requested to have come to him in person for such purpose, he might have presumed he would not have refused; much less might he have reckoned that he would be unwilling his servant should do this in his stead; yet he would not take this liberty, though his circumstances needed it: I have sent him back to thee, that any good office of thine to me might not be of necessity, but willingly. Observe, Good deeds are most acceptable to God and man when done with most freedom. And Paul herein, notwithstanding his apostolical power, would show what regard he had to civil rights, which Christianity does by no means supersede or weaken, but rather confirm and strengthen. Onesimus, he knew, was Philemon's servant, and therefore without his consent not to be detained from him. In his unconverted state he had violated that right, and withdrawn himself, to his master's injury; but, now that he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty, and Paul would not hinder this, but rather further it. He might indeed have presumed on Philemon's willingness; but, but notwithstanding his need, he would deny himself rather than take that way. And he further urges,

      9th Argument, That such a change was now wrought in Onesimus that Philemon needed not fear his ever running from him, or injuring him any more: For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever,Philemon 1:15; Philemon 1:15. There are those of whom Solomon says, If thou deliver them, thou must do it again (Proverbs 19:19); but the change wrought in Onesimus was such that he would never again need one thus to intercede for him. Charity would so hope and judge, yea, so it would be; yet the apostle speaks cautiously, that none might be bold to make another such experiment in expectation of a like gracious issue. Observe, (1.) In matters that may be wrested to ill, ministers must speak warily, that kind providences of God towards sinners be not abused to encouragements to sin, or abatements of just abhorrence of it: Perhaps he therefore departed from thee for a season, c. (2.) How tenderly still the sins of penitents are spoken of he calls it a departure for a season, instead of giving it the term that it deserved. As overruled and ordered by God, it was a departure; but in itself, and in respect of the disposition and manner of the act, it was a criminal going away. When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in the person of a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we: "He departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever, that upon conversion he may return, and be a faithful and useful servant to thee as long as he lives." Bray a fool in a mortar, yet will not his folly depart from him. But it is not so with true penitents: they will not return to folly. (3.) Observe the wisdom, and goodness, and power of God, in causing that to end so happily which was begun and carried on for some time so wickedly, thus regarding a poor vassal, one of such low rank and condition and so little regarded by men, working so good and great a change in him who was so far gone in evil ways, who had wronged a master so good, had run from a family so pious, from the means of grace, the church in his house, that he should be led into the way of salvation who had fled from it, and find means made effectual at Rome who had been hardened under them at Colosse. What riches are here of divine grace! None so low, nor mean, nor vile, as utterly to be despaired of. God can meet with them when running from him; can make means effectual at one time and place, which have not been so at another. So was it in this instance of Onesimus; having returned to God, he now returns to his master, who will have more service and better hold of him than ever--by conscience of his duty and faithfulness in it to his life's end; his interest therefore it will be now to receive him. So God often brings gain to his people out of their losses. And, besides interest, a

      10th Argument is taken from the capacity under which Onesimus now would return, and must be received by Philemon (Philemon 1:16; Philemon 1:16): "Not now as a servant (that is, not merely or so much), but above a servant (in a spiritual respect), a brother beloved, one to be owned as a brother in Christ, and to be beloved as such, upon account of this holy change that is wrought in him, and one therefore who will be useful unto thee upon better principles and in a better manner than before, who will love and promote the best things in thy family, be a blessing in it, and help to keep up the church that is in thy house." Observe, (1.) There is a spiritual brotherhood between all true believers, however distinguished in civil and outward respects; they are all children of the same heavenly Father, have a right to the same spiritual privileges and benefits, must love and do all good offices to and for one another as brethren, though still in the same rank, and degree, and station, wherein they were called. Christianity does not annul nor confound the respective civil duties, but strengthens the obligation to them, and directs to a right discharge of them. (2.) Religious servants are more than mere ordinary servants; they have grace in their hearts, and have found grace in God's sight, and so will in the sight of religious masters. Psalms 101:6, Mine eyes are upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. "Onesimus having now become such, receive and regard him as one that is partaker of the same common faith, and so a brother beloved, specially to me who have been the instrument of his conversion." Good ministers love not so much according to the outward good which they receive as the spiritual good which they do. Paul called Onesimus his own bowels, and other converts his joy and crown. "A brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord; by a double tie therefore (both civil and religious) thy servant: thy property, one of thy house and family, and now, in a spiritual respect, thy brother in Christ, which heightens the engagement. He is God's servant and thine too; here are more ties than he is under to me. How readily therefore should he be received and loved by thee, as one of thy family and one of the true faith, one of thy house and one of the church in thy house!" This argument is strengthened by another, the

      11th Argument, From the communion of saints: If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself,Philemon 1:17; Philemon 1:17. There is a fellowship among saints; they have interest one in another, and must love and act accordingly. "Now show thy love to me, and the interest I have in thee, by loving and receiving one so near and dear to me, even as myself; own and treat him as thou wouldst me, with a like ready and true, though perhaps not equal, affection." But why such concern and earnestness for a servant, a slave, and such a one as had misbehaved? Answer, Onesimus being now penitent, it was doubtless to encourage him, and to support him against the fears he might have in returning to a master whom he had so much abused and wronged, to keep him from sinking into despondency and dejection, and encourage him to his duty. Wise and good ministers will have great and tender care of young converts, to encourage and hearten them what they can to and in their duty. Objection, But Onesimus had wronged as well as offended his master. The answer to this makes a

      12th Argument, A promise of satisfaction to Philemon: If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, c., Philemon 1:18; Philemon 1:19. Here are three things:

      (1.) A confession of Onesimus's debt to Philemon: If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught. It is not an if of doubting, but of illation and concession; seeing he hath wronged thee, and thereby has become indebted to thee; such an if as Colossians 3:1; 2 Peter 2:4, c. Observe, True penitents will be ingenuous in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened and being brought to repentance and especially is this to be done in cases of injury to others. Onesimus by Paul owns the wrong. And,

      (2.) Paul here engages for satisfaction: Put that on my account; I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it. Observe, [1.] The communion of saints does not destroy distinction of property: Onesimus, now converted, and become a brother beloved, is yet Philemon's servant still, and indebted to him for wrongs that he had done, and not to be discharged but by free and voluntary remission, or on reparation made by himself, or some other in his behalf, which part, rather than fail, the apostle undertakes for him. [2.] Suretiship is not in all cases unlawful, but in some is a good and merciful undertaking. Only know the person and case, be not surety for a stranger (Proverbs 11:15), and go not beyond ability; help thy friend thou mayest, as far as will comport with justice and prudence. And how happy for us that Christ would be made the surety of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22), that he would be made sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him! And, [3.] Formal securities by writing, as well as by word and promise, may be required and given. Persons die, and words may be forgotten or mistaken; writing better preserves right and peace, and has been in use with good persons, as well as others, in all ages, Jeremiah 32:9; Luke 16:5-7. It was much that Paul, who lived on contributions himself, would undertake to make good all loss by an evil servant to his master; but hereby he expresses his real and great affection for Onesimus, and his full belief of the sincerity of his conversion: and he might have hope that, notwithstanding this generous offer, Philemon would not insist on it, but freely remit all, considering,

      (3.) The reason of things between him and Philemon: "Albeit, I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thy own self besides; thou wilt remember, without my reminding thee, that thou are on other accounts more in debt to me than this comes to." Modesty in self-praises is true praise. The apostle glances at the benefits he had conferred on Philemon: "That thou art any thing in grace and acceptation with God, or enjoyest any thing in a right and comfortable manner, it is, under God, owing to my ministry. I have been the instrument in his hand of all that spiritual good to thee; and what thy obligation to me on this account is I leave to thee to consider. Thy forgiving a pecuniary debt to a poor penitent for my sake and at my request, and which, however, I now take upon myself to answer, thy remitting it to him, or to me, now his surety, thou wilt confess, is not so great a thing; here is more per contra: Thou owest to me even thy ownself besides." Observe, How great the endearments are between ministers and those towards whom their endeavours have been blessed to their conversion or spiritual edification! If it had been possible (said Paul to the Galatians), you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me,Galatians 4:15. On the other hand he calls them his children, of whom he travailed again, till Christ was formed in them, that is, the likeness of Christ more fully. So 1 Thessalonians 2:8, We were willing to have imparted to you not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us. By way of allusion, this may illustrate Christ's undertaking for us. We had revolted from God, and by sin had wronged him, but Christ undertakes to make satisfaction, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us unto God. "If the sinner owes thee aught, put it upon my account, I will pay the debt; let his iniquity be laid on me, I will bear the penalty." Further, a

      13th Argument is from the joy and comfort the apostle hereby would have on Philemon's own account, as well as on Onesimus's in such a seasonable and acceptable fruit of Philemon's faith and obedience: Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord,Philemon 1:20; Philemon 1:20. Philemon was Paul's son in the faith, yet he entreats him as a brother; Onesimus a poor slave, yet he solicits for him as if he were seeking some great thing for himself. How pathetic is he! "Yea, brother, or O my brother (it is an adverb of wishing or desiring), let me have joy of thee in the Lord. Thou knowest that I am now a prisoner or the Lord, for his sake and cause, and need all the comfort and support that my friends in Christ can give me: now this will be a joy to me, I shall have joy of thee in the Lord, as seeing such an evidence and fruit of thy own Christian faith and love, and on Onesimus's account, who hereby will be relieved and encouraged." Observe, (1.) Christians should do the things that may rejoice the hearts of one another, both people and minister reciprocally, and ministers of their brethren. From the world they expect trouble; and where may they look for comfort and joy but in one another? (2.) Fruits of faith and obedience in people are the minister's greatest joy, especially the more of love appears in them to Christ and his members, forgiving injuries, showing compassion, being merciful as their heavenly Father is merciful. "Refresh my bowels in the Lord. It is not any carnal selfish respect I am actuated by, but what is pleasing to Christ, and that he may have honour therein." Observe, [1.] The Lord's honour and service are a Christian's chief aim in all things. And, [2.] It is meat and drink to a good minister to see people ready and zealous in what is good, especially in acts of charity and beneficence, as occasions occur, forgiving injuries, remitting somewhat of their right, and the like. And, once more, his last, which is the

      14th Argument, Lies in the good hope and opinion which he expresses of Philemon: Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say,Philemon 1:21; Philemon 1:21. Good thoughts and expectations of us more strongly move and engage us to do the things expected from us. The apostle knew Philemon to be a good man, and was thence persuaded of his readiness to do good, and that not in a scanty and niggardly manner, but with a free and liberal hand. Observe, Good persons will be ready for good works, and not narrow and pinching, but abundant in them. Isaiah 32:8, The liberal deviseth liberal things. The Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to his apostles by the will of God, to do what good they could with what they had, according as occasions offered.

      Thus far is the substance and body of the epistle. We have,

      II. The conclusion, where,

      1. He signifies his good hope of deliverance, through their prayers, and that shortly he might see them, desiring Philemon to make provision for him: But withal prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you,Philemon 1:22; Philemon 1:22. But withal, or moreover. He comes to another thing, yet, as may seem, not without some eye to the matter which he had been upon, that might be furthered by this intimation that he hoped he should himself soon follow, and know the effect of his epistle, which Philemon would therefore be the more stirred up to see might be to his satisfaction. Now here is,

      (1.) The thing requested: Prepare me also a lodging; under this all necessaries for a stranger are included. He wills Philemon to do it, intending to be his guest, as most to his purpose. Observe, Hospitality is a great Christian duty, especially in ministers, and towards ministers, such as the apostle was, coming out of such dangers and sufferings for Christ and his gospel. Who would not show the utmost of affectionate regards to such a one? It is an honourable title that he gives Gaius (Romans 16:23), My host, and of the whole church. Onesiphorus is also affectionately remembered by the apostle on this account (2 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:18), The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest.

      (2.) Here is the ground of the apostle's request: For I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. He did not know how God might deal with him, but the benefit of prayer he had often found, and hoped he should again, for deliverance, and liberty to come to them. Observe, [1.] Our dependence is on God for life and liberty and opportunity of service; all is by divine pleasure. [2.] When abridged of these or any other mercies, our trust and hope must be in God, without fainting or succumbing, while our case is depending. But yet, [3.] Trust must be with the use of means, prayer especially, though no other should be at hand; this hath unlocked heaven and opened prison-doors. The fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth much. [4.] Prayer of people for ministers, especially when they are in distress and danger, is their great duty; ministers need and request it. Paul, though an apostle, did so with much earnestness, Philemon 1:15; Philemon 1:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18; Ephesians 6:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:25. The least may in this way be helpful to the greatest. Yet, [5.] Though prayer obtains, yet it does not merit the things obtained: they are God's gift, and Christ's purchase. I trust that through your prayers, charisthesomai hymin--I shall be freely bestowed on you. What God gives, he will yet be sought to for, that mercies may be valued the more, and known whence they come, and God may have the praise. Minister's lives and labours are for the people's good; the office was set up for them; he gave gifts for men, apostles, c. Ephesians 4:8; Ephesians 4:11; Ephesians 4:12. Their gifts, and labours, and lives, all are for their benefit. 1 Corinthians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 3:22, All things are yours, Apollos, Cephas, c. [6.] In praying for faithful ministers, people in effect pray for themselves: "I trust I shall be given unto you, for your service, and comfort, and edification in Christ." See 2 Corinthians 4:15. [7.] Observe the humility of the apostle his liberty, should he have it, he would own to be through their prayers, as well as, or more than, his own; he mentions them only through the high thoughts he had of the prayers of many, and the regard God would show to his praying people. Thus of the first thing in the apostle's conclusion.

      2. he sends salutations from one who was his fellow-prisoner, and four more who were his fellow-labourers, Philemon 1:23; Philemon 1:24. Saluting is wishing health and peace. Christianity is no enemy to courtesy, but enjoins it, 1 Peter 3:8. It is a mere expression of love and respect, and a means of preserving and nourishing them. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus. he was of Colosse, and so countryman and fellow-citizen with Philemon; by office he seems to have been an evangelist, who laboured among the Colossians (if he was not the first converter of them), for whom he had special affection. Our dear fellow-servant (said St. Paul), and for you a faithful minister of Christ (Colossians 1:7), and ( Colossians 4:12; Colossians 4:13), A servant of Christ, always labouring for you in prayers. I bear him record that he hath a great zeal for you, c. A very eminent person therefore this was, who, being at Rome, perhaps accompanying Paul, and labouring in the same work of preaching and propagating the gospel, was confined in the same prison, and for the same cause both termed prisoners in Christ Jesus, intimating the ground of their imprisonment, not any crime or wickedness, but for the faith of Christ and their service to him. An honour it is to suffer shame for Christ's name. My fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus is mentioned as his glory and the apostle's comfort; not that he was a prisoner and so hindered from his work (this was matter of affliction), but that, seeing God thus permitted and called him to suffer, his providence so ordered it that they suffered together, and so had the benefit and comfort of one another's prayers, and help, it may be, in some things; this was a mercy. So God sometimes lightens the sufferings of his servants by the communion of saints, the sweet fellowship they have one with another in their bonds. Never more enjoyment of God have they found than when suffering together for God. So Paul and Silas, when their feet were fast in the stocks, had their tongues set at liberty, and their hearts tuned for the praises of God.--Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers. The mention of these seems in a manner to interest them in the business of the latter. How ill would it look by denial of the request of it to slight so many worthy names as most of these, at least, were! Marcus, cousin of Barnabas, and son of Mary, who was so hospitable to the saints at Jerusalem (Colossians 4:10; Acts 12:12), and whose house was the place of meeting for prayer and the worship of God. Though some failing seems to have been in him when Paul and he parted, yet in conjunction with Barnabas he went on with his work, and here Paul and he, we perceive, were reconciled, and differences forgotten, 2 Timothy 4:11. He bids Mark to be brought to him, for he is profitable to me for the ministry, that is, of an evangelist. Aristarchus is mentioned with Marcus (Colossians 4:10), and called there by Paul his fellow-prisoner; and speaking there of Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, he adds, Touching whom you received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him: an evidence that he himself had received him, and was reconciled to him. Next is Demas, who hitherto, it seems, appeared not faulty, though he is censured (2 Timothy 4:10) as having forsaken Paul, from love of this present world. But how far his forsaking was, whether total from his work and profession, or partial only, and whether he repented and returned to his duty, scripture is silent, and so much we be: no mark of disgrace lay on him here, but he is joined with others who were faithful, as he is also in Colossians 4:14. Lucas is the last, that beloved physician and evangelist, who came to Rome, companion with Paul, Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11. He was Paul's associate in his greatest dangers, and his fellow-labourer. The ministry is not a matter of carnal ease nor pleasure, but of pains; if any are idle in it, they answer not their calling. Christ bids his disciples pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers, not loiterers, into his harvest,Matthew 9:38. And the people are extorted to know those that labour among them, and are over them in the Lord, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake,1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:13. My fellow-labourers, says the apostle: ministers must be helpers together of the truth; they serve the same Lord, in the same holy work and function, and are expectants of the same glorious reward; therefore they must be assistants to each other in furthering the interest of their great and common Master. Thus of the salutations, and then,

      3. Here is the apostle's closing prayer and benediction, Philemon 1:25; Philemon 1:25. Observe, (1.) What is wished and prayed for: Grace, the free favour and love of God, together with the fruits and effects of it in all good things, for soul and body, for time and eternity. Observe, Grace is the best wish for ourselves and others; with this the apostle begins and ends. (2.) From whom: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, second Person in the Trinity, Lord by natural right, by whom, and for whom, all things were created (Colossians 1:16; John 1:1-3), and who is heir of all things, and, as God-man and Mediator, who purchased us, and to whom we are given by the Father. Jesus, the Saviour, Matthew 1:21. We were lost and undone; he recovers us, and repairs the ruin. He saves by merit, procuring pardon and life for us; and by power, rescuing us from sin, and Satan, and hell, and renewing us to the likeness, and bringing us to the enjoyment, of God: thus is he Jesus; and Christ, the Messiah or anointed, consecrated and fitted to be king, priest, and prophet, to his church. To all those offices were there anointings under the law with oil, and to them was the Saviour spiritually anointed with the Holy Ghost, Acts 10:38. In none but him were all these together and in such eminence. He was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows,Psalms 45:7. This Lord Jesus Christ is ours by original title to us, by gospel offers and gift, his purchase of us, and our own acceptance of him, resignation to him, and mystical union with him: Our Lord Jesus Christ. Observe, All grace to us is from Christ; he purchased, and he bestows it. Of his fulness we all receive, and grace for grace,John 1:16. He filleth all in all,Ephesians 1:23. (3.) To whom: Your spirit, meta tou pneumatos hymon, not of Philemon only, but of all who were named in the inscription. With your spirit, that is, with you, the soul or spirit being the immediate seat of grace, whence it influences the whole man, and flows out in gracious and holy actings. All the house saluted are here joined in the closing benediction, the more to remind and quicken all to further the end of the epistle.

      Amen is added, not only for strong and affectionate summing up the prayer and wish, so let it be; but as an expression of faith that it will be heard, so shall it be. And what need we more to make us happy than to have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with our spirit? This is the usual benediction, but it may be taken here to have some special respect also to the occasion; the grace of Christ with their spirits, Philemon's especially, would sweeten and mollify them, take off too deep and keen resentments of injuries, and dispose to forgive others as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us.