Bible Commentaries

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

Paul a prisoner, … — This is a notable Epistle, and full of worth; each word having its weight, each syllable its substance. From an abject subject, the receiving of a runaway servant, St Paul soars like a heavenly eagle, and flies a high pitch of heavenly discourse. Elocutione tota gravis et brevis, densus sententiis, sanus iudiciis, …, as Lipsius saith of Thucydides, may we say of our apostle, Plena roboris et lacertorum est tota epistola. (Lips.) This entire letter is full of strength and muscle.

Our dearly beloved — αγαπητω , diligibili. Or our lovely one, as Jerome renders it.

And fellow labourer — This shows, say some, that Philemon was a minister of the gospel. That he was a master of a family, is out of the question; and his name, which signifies a lover, suits well with his condition; as doth likewise his servant Onesimus, which signifieth profitable. They are not complete Christians that are not good at home as well as abroad; they walk not in a perfect way, that look not to do domestic duties,Psalms 101:2; Psalms 101:2 , by the careful performance whereof we are fitter to serve God or converse with men; as may appear by the situation of the fifth commandment, which stands between the two tables, and hath an influence upon both.

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And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

And to our beloved Apphia — For Appia, but this was the manner of pronunciation at Tarsus, St Paul’s country. This Apphia was (saith Theodoret) Philemon’s wife; whose goodwill might make much to the furtherance of St Paul’s suit.

And Archippus our fellowsoldier — Who seems to have sojourned with Philemon. See Trapp on " Colossians 4:17 "

And to the church in thy house — Every Christian family is a church. But Philemon’s house was (belike) a public meeting house, and so continued for many years after, as Theodorct witnesseth.

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Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you, … — See Trapp on " 1 Corinthians 1:3 " See Trapp on " 2 Corinthians 1:2 "

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I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

I thank my God — Thus the apostle begins most of his Epistles. As any man is more or less gracious, so is he thankful. The same Greek word for grace signifieth thankfulness, χαρις . Neither is there anything that seals up more comfort to the soul than for a man to be able from the bottom of his heart to praise God. Self-love may make a hypocrite pray from the bottom of his heart, …

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Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

Hearing of thy love and faith — Love is first mentioned, as more noticed. But faith is the mother grace, the womb wherein love and all the rest of that heavenly offspring are conceived.

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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 communication, … — This is that which St Paul prayed for Philemon, Philemon 1:4 . For Philemon 1:5 " comes in by a parenthesis.

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For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

The bowels of the saints are refreshed — Gr. αναπεπαυται . Rested, as it were after much toil and travel, which made their hearts ache.

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Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

That which is convenient — το ανηκον , or, that which is thy duty. Officium autem est ius actionis ad quemcunque statum pertinens, saith Jul. Scaliger.

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