The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon
Philemon 1
Chapter I · Vol. IV, p. 455
4 He rejoiceth to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, 9 whom he desireth to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.
1 Paul,a a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon1 our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer,
A.M. cir. 4068. A.D. cir. 64.
a Ac.27.1; 28.16,17. Ep.3.1,13; 4.1; 6.20. Phi.1.7,13. Col.4.3. 2 Ti.1.8.ver.9.
1 This address has evident reference to the meaning of the several names: Philemon, 'affectionate, beloved;' Apphia, the title of affection from a brother to a sister; Archippus, 'the ruler of a horse'—consequently addressed as Paul's 'fellow-soldier.' And it is not improbable he might have been such—as in our own days the army has trained up some of the most valiant and faithful soldiers of the Prince of peace.—C.
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and bArchippus our fellow-soldier, and to cthe church in thy house:
c Ro.16.5. 1 Co.16.19. Col.4.15.
5 Hearingg of thy love and faith,2 which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
g Ep.1.15. Col.1.4. 1 Th.1.3. 2 Th.1.3. 2 Ti.1.5.
2 Philemon's 'love and faith toward the Lord Jesus' is a phrase perfectly intelligible; so also is 'love toward all saints;' but what is the meaning of 'faith toward all saints?' even a faith that, taking Christ for the head, takes them for the members, and works toward them by love in every possible communication of good, ver.6.—C.
6 That hthe communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
h He.13.16; 6.10; 10.24. Ro.12.13. 2 Co.8.4; 9.13. Ja.2.14,17. Phi.4.8,14,15; 1.5,9-11. 2 Pe.1.5-8.
7 Fori we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
i 2 Co.7.4,13. 1 Th.3.7, with 1 Co.16.18. 2 Ti.1.16.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much jbold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
j 1 Th.2.6.
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such kan one as Paul the aged, and now also a lprisoner of Jesus Christ.
k 1 Co.15.8.
l ver.1,10.
10 I beseech thee for my son nOnesimus,3 whom I have begotten in my bonds:
n Col.4.9. 1 Co.4.15. Ga.4.19.
3 See note * below.
* Onesimus signifies 'useful;' whence, as in ver.1, Paul refers to the name, formerly 'unprofitable' to you, now 'profitable' to me. Note, Let every man look to the name he bears, and if there be anything worthy in its meaning, or in the character of the friend from whom it was derived, let him act up to the meaning, or emulate the virtues of that friend. But if the name have no known or assignable meaning, or if he know nothing of the virtues of his friend, let him think of him 'from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named;' and, recollecting how that name has been named upon him, let him see that he walk worthy of it.—C.
11 Whicho in time past was to thee unprofitable,4 but now profitable to thee and to me:
o 1 Pe.2.10.
4 ver.18,16. Perhaps lazy and thievish.
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that qin thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
A.M. cir. 4068. A.D. cir. 64.
q 1 Co.16.17. Phi.2.30.
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should rnot be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, ta brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the 5flesh, and in the Lord?
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 vhow thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, xlet me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
x ver.7,12. Phi.2.17,28. 1 Th.2.19,20; 3.7-9. 2 Co.7.4-7.
21 Havingy confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
y 2 Co.7.16.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for zI trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.6
24 Marcus,b Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers.
b See Ac.12,12,25. Col.4.10,14. Ac.19.29; 20.4; 27.2. 2 Ti.4.10,11.
25 Thec grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.7 Amen.
c 2 Ti.4.22. Ga.6.18. Ro.16.20,24. 1 Co.16.23. 2 Co.13.14. Ep.6.23,24. Phi.4.23. Col.4.18. 1 Th.5.18. 2 Th.3.18. 1 Ti.6.21. Tit.3.15. He.13.25. Re.22.21.
7 Your spirit—not the spirit of Philemon alone, but of all 'the church in his house,' as all actuated with one spirit of faith and love—a composite body, animated, as it were, with one soul.—C.
Notes
Ver. 4-7. In reflecting on your well-known faith in Christ and love to all the saints, I heartily thank God for his kindness bestowed upon you; and pray that your faith and love may be still more and more effectual to render you still more generous and benevolent; that they who hear of, and especially they who receive your favours, may be excited to make the most grateful acknowledgments of those kind and holy dispositions which, by virtue derived from Christ, and to his honour, work for the relief and support of his servants and poor members for his sake.—It is a great comfort to me in my imprisonment, and to Timothy, my brother here, to understand that the hungry appetites of poor private Christians and holy ministers are abundantly relieved and satisfied by your charitable donations.
Reflections.—Faithful ministers affectionately care for and rejoice in one another's gracious comforts and success. And it is an honour for the wealthy to bestow abundantly on the cause, servants, and poor members of Christ. God can marvellously bring good out of great evil—can make robbery and the running away from lawful service an occasion of bringing a person to the gospel, attended by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; and sinful falls the means of bringing about saving conversion. What an inexpressible alteration for the better converting grace makes on a person! And readily we ought to forgive such as have offended and injured us if they return to their duty, and especially if God's grace has made them our brethren in Christ. A high esteem and affectionate regard should Christians show to the instruments of their conversion. And with earnestness and prudence ministers or others should interpose their influence in favour of those who penitently return to their duty. Thrice happy is that church where ministers and people are knit together in cordial affection, and labour for one another's welfare, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, by much fervent prayer; and where peculiar care is taken to refresh, comfort, and provide for the aged, poor, and persecuted.
Concluding Remarks on the Epistle to Philemon.
This epistle possesses a special value, as it exhibits the true and only principle of human equality—union in Christ Jesus. Onesimus, the slave, is now a son to Paul, and a brother to Philemon; yet this epistle equally sustains the distinction of rights and ranks, and even Paul beseeches as a friend, but does not command as a superior, ver. 10, 13, 14. It also possesses a special value as teaching the doctrine of restitution, unless the injured party choose freely to forgive. Nor is it less remarkable as it depicts Paul not merely in the public character of an apostle, but in the private character of a domestic friend, and discovers him as truly amiable and childlike in the one, as he is great and manly in the other. C.