Philemon 1:11 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

We have here, I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Phlm. on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, Phlm. 1:8-21. The 1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the illative wherefore: ?Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:8-17

1:8-17 I could well be bold in Christ to give you orders as to where your duty lies, but for love's sake I would rather put it in the form of a request, I, Paul, such as I am, an old man now, a prisoner of Christ. My request to you is for my child, whom I begat in my bonds--I mean Onesimus, who was once useless to you, but who is now useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, and that is the same as to send you a bit of my own heart. I could have wished to keep him beside myself,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:11

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable ,.... Yea, injurious and hurtful; one that was an eye servant, that loitered away his time, and set an ill example to fellow servants; and not only so, but embezzled his master's goods, and robbed him, and run away from him. So every man, in his state of unregeneracy, is an unprofitable man, Romans 3:12 unprofitable to God, to men, and to themselves; their sins will not profit them, though they may promise them liberty and pleasure; nor will... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 1:11

Who was aforetime unprofitable … to me. The play upon words seems unmistakable, and is peculiarly Pauline. Onesimus means "useful," or "profitable;" ἄχρηστος , "unprofitable," and εὔχρηστος is emphatic, "very profitable." "Useful he is named, but in time past he was (I confess it) not useful, but useless; in future, however, he will be of great use to us both." Compare with this the corresponding passage of Pliny's 'Letter to Sabinianus,' given in the Introduction. "Unprofitable"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:11

Ungodly men are unprofitable to themselves and to others. I. IS SIN , THEN , PROFITABLE TO THE SINNER ? Whether the pleasures of sense or the possessions and honors of the world have prompted him to sin, it will be found that they alike issue in vanity and vexation. Should the desires not be satisfied, then the discontented appetite thirsts for more, and renders the man unhappy. If it be satisfied, yet it is a satisfaction of weariness, not contentment ( Romans 6:21 ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:11

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable - Either because he was indolent; because he had wronged him (compare the notes at Philemon 1:18), or because he had run away from him. It is possible that there may be an allusion here to the meaning of the name “Onesimus,” which denotes “profitable” (from ὀνίνημι oninēmi, future ὀνήσω onēsō, to be useful, to be profitable, to help), and that Paul means to say that he had hitherto not well answered to the meaning of his own name, but that now... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:10-14

Philemon 1:10-14. I beseech thee There is a beautiful emphasis in the repetition of these words, which he had introduced in the preceding verse; for my son The son of my age. The order of the original words is this; 1 entreat thee for a son of mine, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus On this Macknight remarks as follows: “Onesimus’s name at the end of the sentence has a fine effect, by keeping the reader in suspense. This every person of taste must perceive. The apostle would... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:8-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:11

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:8-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:10-14

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:1-21

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