腓利门书 1:8-9 CUVS

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:8-11

Appeal by entreaty rather than command. The apostle here enters on the main subject of his letter, and introduces it with a singular mixture of courtesy, affection, and authority. I. IT IS SOMETIMES WISE TO FOREGO THE EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY . "Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee." 1. Ministers possess authority . They are required to speak with authority. "Charge... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:9

Being such a one as Paul the aged ; a veteran . Theodoret comments thus: " For he who hears Paul, hears the preacher of the whole world, the traverser of land and sea, the chosen vessel, and other things besides he is …. He adds also 'the aged,' showing the gray hairs which have grown during his labors." " Non aetatem, sed offieium" (Calvin). Presbutēs may mean "an ambassador"—"the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner," as in Ephesians 6:20 (and see Ephesians... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:9-10

Love's motive-power. "For love's sake I rather beseech thee … for my son Onesimus." Onesimus was a slave—one who in past times had been, as was natural, unmoved by any inspiration to good service—and was "unprofitable." He had been begotten again through the ministry of Paul, and now that he sends him back, he tells Philemon that the new Divine life in him will make him faithful, earnest, and "profitable." I. TRUTH TRIUMPHS IN TIME . Slavery did not fall at once, nor was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:8

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ - Though I might have much boldness as an apostle of Christ. He means that he was invested with authority by the Lord Jesus, and would have a right, as an apostle, to enjoin what ought to be done in the case which he is about to lay before him; compare 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7.To enjoin thee that which is convenient - To command what is proper to be done. The word “convenient” here (τὸ ἀνῆκω to anēkō), means that which would be fit or proper in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:9

Yet for love’s sake - For the love which you bear me, and for the common cause.I rather beseech thee - Rather than command thee.Being such an one as Paul the aged - πρεσβυτης presbutēs - an old man. We have no means of ascertaining the exact age of Paul at this time, and I do not recollect that he ever alludes to his age, though he often does to his infirmities, in any place except here. Doddridge supposes that at the time when Stephen was stoned, when he is called “a young man” (νεανίας... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:8-9

Philemon 1:8-9. Wherefore Because we are so well assured of thy benevolent disposition, and thy constant readiness to do every good in thy power; though I might be much bold in Christ Might take great freedom in virtue of my relation to him, and the authority he has given me; to enjoin thee and others that which is convenient Proper and reasonable to be done. Yet for love’s sake, &c. That is, instead of using my authority; I rather beseech thee By that love which thou bearest... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:1-21

CONTENTS OF THE LETTERPaul greets Philemon, his wife Apphia, and the other believers who meet in their home. He also greets Archippus, who was possibly their son and who was serving God in that region (1-3; cf. Colossians 4:17). Paul rejoices because of what he has heard (probably from Epaphras and Onesimus; cf. Colossians 1:7-8; Colossians 4:9,Colossians 4:12) of Philemon’s strong faith in God and sincere love for God’s people. This faith and love have been a source of strength and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philemon 1:8

though . . . bold . Literally having much boldness (Greek. parrhesia , freedom of speech). Compare Acts 2:29 . enjoin = command. Greek. epitasso convenient. Greek. aneko . See Ephesians 5:4 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philemon 1:9

Yet . Omit. for. sake . App-104 . beseech . App-134 . Compare Philemon 1:7 . aged . Greek. presbutes . See Titus 2:2 . Elsewhere, Luke 1:18 . also , &c. = a prisoner also. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philemon 1:8

Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,Paul never for a moment relinquished his right of command as an apostle of Jesus Christ; but this verse, with the next, has the effect of saying, "Please do not consider the request that I am about to make as an order; it is not that at all, but an earnest plea from brother to brother."Though I have all boldness ... to enjoin ... "This is a distinct assertion of the right to command."[21]Why did not Paul... read more