Philemon 1:12

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 1:12

Whom I have sent again ,.... From Rome to Colosse, or to Philemon, wherever he was, along with this epistle: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels ; meaning his son, who, in a spiritual sense, came out of his bowels, to whom he stood in the relation of a spiritual father; so the Syriac version renders it, as my son, so receive him; see Genesis 15:4 and for whom he had a most strong affection, and tender regard; his bowels yearned for him, and he suggests by this... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:12

Verse 12 12.Receive him, that is, my bowels. Nothing could have been more powerful for assuaging the wrath of Philemon; for if he had refused to forgive his slave, he would thus have used cruelty against “the bowels” of Paul. This is remarkable kindness displayed by Paul, that he did not hesitate to receive, as it were into his bowels, a contemptible slave, and thief, and runaway, so as to defend him from the indignation of his master. And, indeed, if the conversion of a man to God were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:12

Whom I sent back [ to thee , according to A, C, D*, E, )*] (aorist for present); but the decision reflects the struggle. It had not been altogether easy for the apostle to part with the youth, whom he might not see again. The whole Epistle is full of this strong and yearning affection. Thou therefore receive him. Do thou also act as becomes a Christian; receive him as my son. "Wonderfully efficacious this method for appeasing the anger of Philemon! For he was not able to rage or to do... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:12-16

The motives that prompted the apostle to send back Onesimus to his master. I. HE DID SEND HIM BACK . "Whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart." 1. Onesimus did not return of his own accord . He might, perhaps, have had some not unnatural misgivings as to the character of the reception he would meet with as a returned slave who had acted a dishonest part, and might have been ashamed besides to appear again in a community where his misdeeds... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:12

Whom I have sent again - That is, to Philemon. This was, doubtless, at his own request, for:(1) There is not the slightest evidence that he compelled him, or even urged him to go. The language is just such as would have been used on the supposition either that he requested him to go and bear a letter to Colosse, or that Onesimus desired to go, and that Paul sent him agreeably to his request; compare Philippians 2:25. “Yet I suppose it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and... 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

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