Philemon
ANNOTATIONS ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO PHILEMON.
Transcribed by B. B. James
The Argument
This epistle was written by the apostle Paul unto Philemon, one of his fellow-laborers in the ministry of the gospel, in the behalf of one Onesimus, a servant of his, who had withdrawn himself from his master’s service and had also, as it seems, wronged him in his temporal estate; but, coming to Rome (where Paul then abode under restraint), had been by his ministry converted; and, after he had been for a while detained there to attend upon him, was with this sent back to his master. The apostle therein entreating him to admit him into his service again, remitting to him his offense formerly committed, and engaging himself to make good whatsoever damage he had sustained by him. The epistle, though written upon such a private occasion, yet is so penned as it carries with it the lively character of an apostolical spirit, and contains very pregnant expressions of Paul’s good estimation and entire affection to Philemon, tender bowels of compassion towards a sincere convert, and hearty desire of the welfare of those whom he hath occasion any way to mention in the same.
CHAPTER I
Verse 1. {prisoner of Jesus Christ} That is, for Jesus Christ (verse 13). bonds of the gospel (Ephesians 3:1). Which circumstance he touches upon, the rather to move Philemon to pity and compassion: that he would not deny his earnest request in the behalf of Onesimus, and thereby add affliction to his affliction.
V. 2. {beloved} Greek, sister.
{Apphia} Theodoret affirms that this Apphia was Philemon’s wife; and, in the subscription of this epistle in a very ancient manuscript, these words are: “To Philemon and Apphia, master and mistress of Onesimus.” And if she were not Philemon’s wife, it is not like the apostle would have put her in the inscription in this letter, which he wrote of Philemon’s servant.
{Archippus} This Archippus is conceived to be the same of whom the apostle speaks (Colossians 4:17), to whom Onesimus delivered Saint Paul’s epistle to the Colossians; who, being pastor at Colosse, might prevail the more with Philemon (one of his flock), at whose house he lay.
V. 4. {I thank my God, etc} (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
V. 5. {toward all saints} Either he takes faith in a larger sense, and so it may extend to saints: for although we believe not in them, yet we believe them. “They believed the Lord and his servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31). Or else the words “towards all saints” are to be referred to the word love, and “towards the Lord Jesus” to the word faith; and this is made more evident by the Syriac translation, in which the words are transposed after this manner: “Hearing of thy faith, and thy love which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all saints” (Colossians 1:4).
V. 6. {communication of thy faith, etc.} That is, the fruits of thy faith (in some copies it is), “may be made evident,” ἐναργὴς, not ἐνεργὴς; and that seems to be true reading. Howsoever, the sense is much at one. I pray that the charitable actions which proceed from thy faith may be a clear evidence, and give an effectual demonstration, of the holy graces that are in thee.
{by} Greek, in.
{in} Greek, to.
V. 7. {bowels of the saints} Thou hast comforted the saints at the very heart, and given them much ease and resuscitation in the heat of persecution.
V. 10. {for my son} Greek, concerning.
{Onesimus} (Colossians 4:9).
V. 11. {unprofitable} He evidently alludes to the name Ὀνήσιμος, Onesimus, which in Greek signifies profitable: while he was your servant before, and an unbeliever, he was contrary to his name—utterly unprofitable; but now, upon his conversion, he will make good his name, and prove truly Onesimus; that is, profitable to thee and me.
V. 12. {mine own bowels} As if he were my own son, begotten of mine own body (2 Samuel 16:11).
V. 16. {both in the flesh, and in the Lord} Both in worldly and civil respect, and also spiritual. It may be also that Onesimus, though a servant, yet was some way of kin to Philemon.
V. 19. {with mine own hand} This is, as it were, a bill or obligation, wherein he promises to pay the damage Onesimus had done unto his master, that it might not stand in the way of his reconciliation.
{albeit I do} Greek, that I may not say.
{I do not say} I might request thee to put up that debt or damage, in exchange of those spiritual gifts which you have received by my means, whereby you are obliged to me for the salvation of thy soul; but in this I will gladly forgo my own right, intending to give thee full and entire satisfaction for any damage you have sustained by Onesimus.