Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, This letter affords a specimen of the highest wisdom as to how Christians ought to manage social affairs on exalted principles. PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST - one whom Christ's cause has m... [ Continue Reading ]
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: APPHIA - Latin, 'Appia.' The wife or some close relative of Philemon. She and Archippus, if they had not belonged to his family, would not have been included with Philemon in the address of a letter on a dom... [ Continue Reading ]
_GRACE TO YOU, AND PEACE, FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST._ No JFB commentary on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, ALWAYS - joined by Alford with "I thank my God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; HEARING - the ground of thanksgiving. It is a delicate mark of authenticity, that he says "hearing" as to churches and persons whom he had not seen or then visited. Colosse, Philemon's residence, he had nev... [ Continue Reading ]
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. THAT ... - the aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee, in order that the, etc. THE COMMUNICATION OF THY FAITH - the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts o... [ Continue Reading ]
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. FOR - a reason for the prayer, Philemon 1:4. WE HAVE, [ eschomen (G2192): G] - 'we had.' But 'Aleph (') A C G [ eschon (G2192)], I had. JOY AND CONSOLATION - joined in 2 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, WHEREFORE - because of my love, I "beseech," rather than "enjoin," or authoritatively command. I MIGHT ... ENJOIN - in virtue of Philemon's obligation to obedience as having been converted through Paul I MIG... [ Continue Reading ]
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. FOR LOVE'S SAKE - mine to thee: in contrast to the "boldness" [ parreesian (G3954)] which I forbear to use (Philemon 1:8). My "love" is reciprocal to "thy love" for which thou art... [ Continue Reading ]
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: I BESEECH THEE - emphatically repeated from . In the Greek "Onesimus" is skillfully put last; the favourable description of him precedes the name that had fallen into so bad repute with Philemon. "I beseech thee for my son, whom... [ Continue Reading ]
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: WHICH IN TIME PAST WAS TO THEE UNPROFITABLE - belying his name, Onesimus, which means profitable. Not only was he unprofitable, but positively injurious, having "wronged" his master. Paul uses a mild expression. NOW... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: THOU THEREFORE [ su (G4771) de (G1161)] RECEIVE, [ proslabou (G4355)] - C Delta f, Vulgate. But 'Aleph (') A G omit. Translate then, 'him (I say) that is,' etc. MINE OWN BOWELS - as dear to me as my inmost vitals. Compa... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: I - emphatic. Since I had such implicit trust in him as to desire to keep him with me for his service, thou mayest. I WOULD HAVE RETAINED - different [ eboulomeen (G1014)] from th... [ Continue Reading ]
But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. WITHOUT THY MIND - i:e., consent. SHOULD NOT BE AS - `as though a matter of necessity, but of free-will.' Had Paul kept Onesimus, however willing to gratify Paul Philemon might be, he w... [ Continue Reading ]
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; PERHAPS - speaking humanly, yet as believing that God's providence probably (for we cannot dogmatically define God's hidden purposes) overruled the past evil to ultimately, greater good to him. This thought wo... [ Continue Reading ]
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? No longer a mere slave (though still that), but above a servant, so that thou shalt have not merely the services of a slave, but higher benefits: a servant... [ Continue Reading ]
If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. A PARTNER - in the Christian fellowship of faith, hope, and love. RECEIVE HIM AS MYSELF - resuming "receive him," . But see note there.... [ Continue Reading ]
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 'But [ de (G1161)] if (thou wilt not "receive him" because) he hath wronged thee:' milder than 'robbed thee.' Onesimus confessed some such act to Paul. PUT THAT ON MINE ACCOUNT - I am ready to make good the loss to thee, if... [ Continue Reading ]
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. WITH MINE OWN HAND - not employing an amanuensis, as in other letters: a special compliment of which Philemon ought to show his appreciation by granting Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. LET ME - `let me [emphatic: egoo (G1473) sou (G4675)] have profit [ onaimeen (G3685), referring to the name Onesimus, "profitable"] from thee, as thou shouldest have had from Onesimus:' for 'thou owest thine own self... [ Continue Reading ]
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. HAVING CONFIDENCE IN THY OBEDIENCE - to my apostolic authority, were I to "enjoin" it (), which I do not, preferring to beseech thee for it as a favour (). THOU WILT ALSO DO MORE - toward Onesimu... [ Continue Reading ]
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. This prospect of Paul's visiting Colosse would secure a kindly reception for Onesimus, as Paul would know in person how he had been treated. YOUR ... YOU - referring to Philemon, Apphia, Archip... [ Continue Reading ]
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; The same persons send salutations in the accompanying letter, except that 'Jesus Justus' is not mentioned here. EPAPHRAS, MY FELLOW-PRISONER. He had been sent by the Colossians to inquire after and minister to Paul, and possibly was... [ Continue Reading ]
_MARCUS, ARISTARCHUS, DEMAS, LUCAS, MY FELLOWLABOURERS._ No JFB commentary on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT (; ).... [ Continue Reading ]