Philemon 1:8,9

III. Paul's intercession for Onesimus; Philemon 1:8-22.

8. Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, 9. yet for love's sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus.

a.

Paul as a chosen apostle of Christ Jesus had authority to command Christ's followers to do what they should. See Galatians 1:1; Romans 1:1; 2 Corinthians 10:2; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6. But even as Christ usually sought to move men's hearts by love and teaching rather than by compulsion, so Paul usually appealed to people by love and devotion to Christ.

Actually we cannot say that Paul utterly excluded his authority as Christ's ambassador in this section, but it was not the motivation that he desired Philemon to act upon.

b.

The wherefore at the beginning of Philemon 1:8 refers ahead to Philemon 1:9: Wherefore (because of your love and faith). I beseech you.

c.

There are certain attitudes that are befitting (A.V. convenient) to Christians, i.e. proper, appropriate, due, and becoming. We should pray that in all circumstances we may be able to discern what is the befitting course of action, and then be motivated to do it.

d.

Paul leads up to his main appeal very skilfully. He expressed his prayer for Philemon, and his thanks for his deeds. Now he makes a frank appeal on the basis of his old age and imprisonment, and the love between them. It would have been hard for Philemon to refuse the request thus presented.

e.

Some old N.T. manuscripts have ambassador (Gr. presbeutes) instead of aged (Gr. presbutes) in Philemon 1:9. R.S.V. gives ambassador. It seems to us that the reading aged is much to be preferred. More of the old manuscripts give it. Also an ambassador is one invested with authority from another person or country, and Paul does not make his request to Philemon on the basis of authority. He makes it as an appeal based on love, respect, propriety, and personal relationships. Thus he speaks of himself as Paul the old man.

f.

Regarding Paul as the prisoner of Christ Jesus, see notes on Philemon 1:1.

g.

If Paul was a young man (maybe about 30) when Stephen was stoned (Acts 7:58), which took place about A.D. 40, he would now (about A.D. 62) have indeed been an old man of approximately 60 years. In Paul's time with its limited medical services, and in consideration of all that Paul had suffered (2 Corinthians 11:23-33; 2 Corinthians 12:1-9), sixty years would indeed have made him an old man.