The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
1 Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and our brother Timothy, unto Philemon our dear friend, and fellow helper,
2 And to our dear sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the Church that is in thine house:
3 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God, making mention always of thee in my prayers,
5 (When I hear of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all Saints.)
6 That the fellowship of thy faith may be made effectual, and that whatsoever good thing is in you through Christ Jesus, may be known.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because by thee, brother, the Saints bowels are comforted.
8 Wherefore, though I be very bold in Christ to command thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and even now a prisoner for Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,
11 Which in times past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable both 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 received 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 It may be that he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever,
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, even as a brother beloved, specially to me: how much more then unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?
17 If therefore thou count our things common, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee ought, that put on my accounts.
19 I Paul have written this with mine own hand: I will recompense it, albeit I do not say to thee, that thou owest moreover unto me even thine own self.
20 Yea, brother, let me obtain this pleasure of thee in the Lord: comfort my bowels in the Lord.
21 Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote unto thee knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say,
22 Moreover also prepare me lodging: for I trust through your prayers I shall be freely given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow helpers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen.
Cross References:
Philemon 1:4 : 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3
Philemon 1:10 : Colossians 4:9
Brethren:
Because my own thoughts not being of a sufficient nature today’s commentary will be taken from various sources.
“This epistle was written by the Apostle Paul, when a prisoner at Rome, as appears from its inscription and subscription; and seems to have been written at the same time, in the year 60, and sent by the same hand, as the epistle to the Colossians; seeing the same persons were with the apostle at the writing of both, and send their Christian salutations in the one, as in the other; compare and Archippus, the minister in Colosse, is made mention of in both, and it is very probable that Philemon, to whom it was written, was a Colossian, since Onesimus, his servant, on whose account, and by whom it was sent, is said to be one of the Colossians, Philemon is said to be one of the seventy disciples, and afterwards Bishop of Gaza; The occasion of the epistle was this; Philemon's servant, Onesimus, having either embezzled his master's goods, or robbed him, ran away from him, and fled to Rome, where the apostle was a prisoner in chains in his own hired house, under the custody of a soldier, and where he received all that came, and preached the Gospel to them, and among those that went to hear him, this fugitive servant was one, and was converted under his ministry; and who not only received the grace of God, but had such gifts bestowed on him as qualified him to be a preacher of the word. Now the design of this epistle is to reconcile Philemon to his servant, and to entreat him to receive him again, not only as a servant, but as a brother in Christ; and the most proper and prudent methods and arguments are used to engage him to it. The epistle, though it is a familiar one, and short, is very instructive; it shows great humility in the apostle, and that he did not think it below him to be concerned in doing such an office as to reconcile a master to his servant, and which is worthy of imitation; as also it teaches the right that masters have over their servants, which is not lost by their becoming Christians, and even ministers of the Gospel; and that recompense should be made unto them for injuries done by them: it likewise displays the riches of the grace of God, in the conversion of such a vile creature: and the wonderful providence of God in overruling that which was sinful in itself, running away from his master, to the greatest good, even the conversion of him; and is an instance of surprising grace: and from hence may be learned, that there is salvation in Christ for the chief of sinners; and that the conversion of them is not to be despaired of.” - John Gill - Theolgian
“Philemon lived at Colossae and was probably a convert of Paul and member of the Colossian church. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who had robbed his master (verse 18) and fled to Rome where he had been converted under Paul's preaching (verse 10). It is the only individual or private letter written by Paul and is written to tell Philemon of the conversion of Onesimus and to make a plea for him. Through the kindness shown Onesimus we have revealed to us the great kindness of the Apostle's heart. He speaks to Philemon not as an apostle in authority, but as a friend to a friend, thereby showing his great courtesy. The letter is of inestimable value as showing the power of the gospel to win and transform a poor slave and to soften the harsh relations between the different classes of ancient society.” - Studylight . org
“The singular loftiness of the mind of Paul, though it may be seen to greater advantage in his other writings which treat of weightier matters, is also attested by this Epistle, in which, while he handles a subject otherwise low and mean, he rises to God with his wonted elevation. Sending back a runaway slave and thief, he supplicates pardon for him. But in pleading this cause, he discourses about Christian forbearance with such ability, that he appears to speak about the interests of the whole Church rather than the private affairs of a single individual. In behalf of a man of the lowest condition, he demeans himself so modestly and humbly, that nowhere else is the meekness of his temper painted in a more lively manner.” - John Calvin
“ St Paul intimates, (See Philemon 1:8-9) that he chose to lay aside all his apostolic authority, and to beg it as a favour of Philemon to be reconciled to Onesimus; and, in order to touch and melt the heart of Philemon, he begins with styling himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ. This affable and condescending manner of address must be owned to be more agreeable and engaging than that of authority and command. The apostle might here call Timothy the brother, and not his son, as he does elsewhere, to add weight and dignity to his character, and thereby render his name of more moment in behalf of Onesimus. Whoever contributed any way towards helping forward the gospel, were called the apostle's fellow-labourers.” - Adam Clarke - Theologian
No comments:
Post a Comment