Philemon 1:8-20

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 forever; (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.

The Apostle now enters upon the principal subject of his Epistle, and for which he wrote. And, if we gather into one point of view, the several parts of his letter, it should seem, (though we have no certain history to determine it by), that this Onesimus had run away from his master; and, it is probable, had robbed him. Fleeing to Rome, he had there been brought under the ministry of' the Apostle. And it should seem likely also, that the Lord had done by him as the Lord did by Lydia, had opened his heart to attend to the things which were spoken of Paul Acts 16:14. After the Lord had wrought this work of grace upon the mind of Onesimus, Paul sent him back to his master, with this letter of recommendation; and in this most engaging manner, sought to influence the mind of Philemon, not barely to forgive him, but to rejoice over his conversion, and receive him as a brother in Christ. And, it is well worthy the Reader s observation, how striking the arguments, Paul adopted, to prevail upon the affections of Philemon.

First He observes that if the Apostle rejoiced in his recovery by grace, to whom Onesimus was a stranger, how much more (saith he) unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord. Masters are secondary parents, a kind of foster-fathers. And believing masters exercise a spiritual guardianship over their household. And to have servants who are brethren in the Lord, not only secures their fidelity, but their affection and opens to a better alliance of nearness, and dearness, which is to last forever.

Secondly. Paul toucheth another string of melody, when he saith, if thou count me a partner receive him as myself This riseth yet higher, though on the same scale for this considers Christ and his members as one. And, therefore, Paul, and Philemon, and Onesimus, being in grace, are all partners in all that belongs to Christ Jesus.

Thirdly. The Apostle adds another very forcible argument namely, that if Onesimus had wronged Philemon, or owed him aught, he would be answerable for it. Though in saying this Paul insinuated that so much on spiritual considerations Philemon was indebted to him, that even himself he owed to him. Hence, Paul assumed for granted, that Philemon would refresh his bowels, in complying with his wishes, and even doing more than he asked. Who, but must admire the affection and wisdom of the Apostle, in this beautiful Epistle, endited as it evidently was, by the Holy Ghost.

But when the Reader hath paid all due attention to the subject, as it relates to those several parties; I would ask, is there not an instruction arising out of it which opens to a subject yet more profitable, both to the Writer, and the Reader of this Poor Man's Commentary? When a poor long lost sinner is recovered by sovereign grace, from all his departures from the Lord, in the Adam-nature of sin by which from the first in original apostasy we have all run away from God; how blessed, when brought back, and discovered to be a brother beloved especially to all his spiritual relations who then find their double relation to him both in the flesh by nature, and in the Lord by spirit? Surely, whoever by his own regeneration, knows his partnership in Christ's mystical body, must receive such an one as "one in the Lord." And whatever wrongs that have been done, before the work of grace was wrought, conscious of mutual corruption by nature, and by practice, how unanswerable the argument, to mutual forgiveness Yea as we have all sinned and have all wronged, and come short of the glory of God. Oh! how sweet, all is put to Jesus' account, and who hath been, and is the Surety and Sponsor of all his people. Precious Jesus! who, that in this view of thy paying our debt of ten thousand talents, can go forth against a brother for his hundred pence. Here, dearest Lord as in all things thou shalt have the preeminency.