Philemon 1:17 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 1:17

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:17

If thou count me therefore a partner - If thou dost consider me as a friend; if I have still the place of a friend in thy affection, receive him as myself; for, as I feel him as my own soul, in receiving him thou receivest me. There is a fine model of recommending a friend to the attention of a great man in the epistle of Horace to Claudius Nero, in behalf of his friend Septimius, Epistolar. lib. i., Ep. 9, which contains several strokes not unlike some of those in the Epistle to Philemon.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:17

Verse 17 17If, therefore, thou holdest me to be thy associate. Here he lowers himself still further, by giving up his right and his honor to a runaway, and putting him in his own room, as he will shortly afterwards offer himself to be his cautioner. He reckoned it to be of vast importance that Onesimus should have a mild and gentle master, that immoderate severity might not drive him to despair. That is the object which Paul toils so earnestly to accomplish. And his example warns us how... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:17

If thou count me therefore a partner ; if thou holdest me for a friend—by our friendship entreat this . The strongest form of entreaty possible to be used. κοινωνία in Acts 2:42 refers to the Holy Communion, and in 1 Corinthians 10:16-21 partakers of it are plainly called by implication κοινωνοὶ —partakers , or, as we should say, "communicants." But here the sense is apparently as above; literally, a partner . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:17

The plea of Christian fellowship. The apostle here directly puts his request, "If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself" He regards Philemon as a partner in faith and love and life. It is a recurrence to an old argument, "If there be any fellowship of the Spirit … fulfill ye my joy." I. THE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS . It subsists in the fellowship with the Father and the Son , and derives all its force therefrom . ( 1 John 1:3 .) That fellowship implies... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:17

If there count me therefore a partner - The word rendered “partner” (κοινωνὸς koinōnos, means “a partaker, a companion.” The idea in the word is that of having something in common (κοινὸς koinos) with any one - as common principles; common attachments; a common interest in an enterprise; common hopes. It may be applied to those who hold the same principles of religion, and who have the same hope of heaven, the same views of things, etc. Here the meaning is, that if Philemon regarded Paul as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:17-20

Philemon 1:17-20. If thou count me therefore a partner Κοινωνον , a companion, one having fellowship with thee in Christ, or a sharer with thee in the blessings of the gospel, the dearest bond of friendship; receive him as myself Even as thou wouldest receive me, if I could have the satisfaction of paying thee a visit in person. If he hath wronged thee Ει τι ηδικησε , if he hath injured thee in any thing; or oweth thee aught We cannot infer from this that Onesimus had robbed his... 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 1:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philemon 1:17-20

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:1-21

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