Verse 1
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ - It has already been noted, in the preface, that Paul was a prisoner at Rome when he wrote this epistle, and those to the Colossians and Philippians. But some think that the term prisoner does not sufficiently point out the apostle's state, and that the original word δεσμιος should be translated bound with a chain: this is certainly its meaning; and it shows us in some measure his circumstances - one arm was bound with a chain to the arm of the soldier to whose custody he had been delivered.
It has also been remarked that Paul does not call himself an apostle here, because the letter was a letter of friendship, and on private concerns. But the MSS. are not entirely agreed on this subject. Two MSS. have δουλος , a servant; the Codex Claromontanus and the Codex Sangermanensis, both in the Greek and Latin, have αποστολος , apostle; and Cassiodorus has αποστολος δεσμιος , Paul, an imprisoned apostle of Jesus Christ. They, however, generally agree in the omission of the word αποστολος .
Unto Philemon our dearly beloved - There is a peculiarity in the use of proper names in this epistle which is not found in any other part of St. Paul's writings. The names to which we refer are Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus.
Philemon, Φιλημων . Affectionate or beloved, from φιλημα , a kiss; this led the apostle to say: To Philemon our Dearly Beloved.
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