1.
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2.
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Verse 2
Apphia and Archippus may have been the wife and son of Philemon. Archippus is mentioned in the Colossians 4:17, which was sent at the same time with this.
3.
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4.
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Verse 4
I thank my God. These words are to be connected with the Philemon 1:4,Philemon 1:5. He thanked God on account of what he heard of Philemon's love and faith, &c.
5.
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6.
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7.
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8.
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
Verse 8
That which is convenient; that which is right,--which Christian principles require, meaning in respect to Onesimus, as is explained below.
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:
Verse 12
Mine own bowels; mine own self.
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.
Verse 14
Thy mind; thy consent.
15.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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?
Verse 16
Not now as a servant; not as a slave. Philemon was to change entirely the nature of the relation which had subsisted between him and his bondman. (Compare Colossians 4:1.) The emancipation of slaves does not at all imply their separation from their masters. Emancipation is simply the substitution of wages for stripes, as the inducement to labor. We are not, therefore, to be surprised that Paul sent Onesimus back to his former home. If the slaves of a whole community were to escape from their thraldom, it would be the wisest philanthropy to send them all back to their wonted occupations again, with the injunction to their masters to receive them, not as slaves, but as fellow-men; provided that there was a reasonable ground to expect, as in this case, that the injunction would be obeyed.
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.
21.
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23.
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24.
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.