Philemon 1:8-16 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant ,.... That is, not only as a servant, for a servant he was, and was to be received as such; his call by grace had not dissolved the civil relation that was between him and his master, though it had added to it something that was above it, and greater than it: but above a servant ; in a higher condition, as the Arabic version renders it, than a servant; not barely considered in that relation, but as being in one much preferable to it: a brother beloved, specially... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:8

Wherefore, though I might be much bold - It would be better to read: Wherefore, although I have much authority through Christ, to command thee to do what is proper; yet, on account of my love to thee, I entreat thee. The tenderness and delicacy of this epistle, says Dr. Paley, have long been admired: "Though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient; yet, for love's sake, I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:9

Paul the aged - If we allow St. Paul to have been about 25 years of age at the utmost, in the year 31, when he was assisting at the martyrdom of Stephen, Acts 7:58 ; as this epistle was written about a.d. 62, he could not have been at this time more than about 56 years old. This could not constitute him an aged man in our sense of the term; yet, when the whole length of his life is taken in, being martyred about four years after this, he may not improperly be considered an aged or elderly... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:10

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus - It is evident from this that Onesimus was converted by St. Paul while he was prisoner at Rome, and perhaps not long before he wrote this epistle. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:11

Was to thee unprofitable - Alluding to the meaning of Onesimus's name, as has been already noted; though the apostle uses a different Greek word to express the same idea. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:12

Whom I have sent again - The Christian religion never cancels any civil relations; a slave, on being converted, and becoming a free man of Christ, has no right to claim, on that ground, emancipation from the service of his master. Justice, therefore, required St. Paul to send back Onesimus to his master, and conscience obliged Onesimus to agree in the propriety of the measure; but love to the servant induced the apostle to write this conciliating letter to the master. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:13

That in thy stead he might have ministered unto me - As Philemon was one of Paul's converts, he became thereby his spiritual father, and had a right to his services when in need. This was a strong argument, not only to induce Philemon to forgive his servant, but to send him back to the apostle, that he might minister to him in his master's stead. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:14

That thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity - If the apostle had kept Onesimus in his service, and written to Philemon to forgive him and permit him to stay, to this it is probable he would have agreed; but the benefit thus conceded might have lost much of its real worth by the consideration that, had he been at Colosse, Philemon would not have sent him to Rome; but, being there and in the apostle's service, he could not with propriety order him home: thus the benefit to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:15

He - departed for a season - This is another most delicate stroke. He departed thy slave, thy unfaithful slave; he departed for a short time; but so has the mercy of God operated in his behalf, and the providence of God in thine, that he now returns, not an unfaithful slave, in whom thou couldst repose no confidence, but as a brother, a beloved brother in the Lord, to be in the same heavenly family with thee for ever. Thou hast, therefore, reason to be thankful to God that he did depart,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant? - Do not receive him merely as thy slave, nor treat him according to that condition; but as a brother - as a genuine Christian, and particularly dear to me. Both in the flesh and in the Lord? - There is no reason to believe that Onesimus was of the kindred of Philemon; and we must take the term flesh, here, as referring to the right which Philemon had in him. He was a part of his property and of his family; as a slave, this was his condition; but he now stood in a... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:16

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