Philemon 1:15-21

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

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:18-25

1:18-25 If he has done you any damage or owes you anything, put it down to my account. I, Paul, write with my own hand--I will repay it, not to mention to you that you owe your very self to me. Yes, my brother, let me make some Christian profit out of you! Refresh my heart in Christ. It is with complete confidence in your willingness to listen that I write to you, for I know well that you will do more than I ask. At the same time get ready a lodging place for me; for I hope that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:15

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season ,.... The apostle in this clause seems to soften this business of Onesimus in running away from his master; he calls it not a running away, but a departure, an absence from him, and that but for a little while; and suggests that the hand of God might be in it; that there was an overruling providence that attended it, such as was in Joseph's going down into Egypt; and that this separation of Onesimus from his master, for a short time, was in... read more

John Gill

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:17

If thou count me therefore a partner ,.... A companion and friend, who reckon each other's affairs and interest their own: the word answers to חבר , a word often used in Talmudic writings, for an associate of the doctors or wise men: here it may mean also a partner both in grace, and in the ministry; one that shared in the same gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and one that was to be a partaker of the inheritance with the saints in light: now if Philemon reckoned the apostle such an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:18

If he hath wronged thee ,.... By squandering away his time, spoiling his work, or corrupting his fellow servants: or oweth thee ought ; by embezzling his master's goods, robbing him of his money, and running away from his service: put that on mine account ; Signifying that he would be answerable for all, and make good all debts and damages. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:19

I Paul have written it, with mine own hand ,.... Meaning either this epistle, which being short, he used no amanuensis, but wrote it all himself, and which might be taken as an engagement to do what he promised; or else a bill, a promissory note, written with his own hand, which he sent along with Onesimus, by which he laid himself under obligation to give Philemon full satisfaction in every thing, in which he had been injured by his servant; adding, I will repay it : this was not an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:20

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord ,.... Through the apostle was his spiritual father, having been the instrument of his conversion, yet he calls him his brother, as being a partaker of the same grace, and a minister of the same Gospel; and intimates to him, that should he grant his request, and receive his servant again, it would give him great joy and pleasure, and that not of a carnal, but of a spiritual kind, even joy in the Lord; he should rejoice in the presence of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:21

Having confidence in thy obedience ,.... In his obedience of faith to Christ, and his Gospel; he having been made willing in the day of his power to serve him, as well as to be saved by him; and being constrained by his love, and the Spirit of Christ having wrought in him both to will and to do of his good pleasure: l wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say ; the knowledge the apostle had of Philemon's cheerful obedience to Christ in all the parts of duty,... read more

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