Verse 17
C. Paul’s request v. 17
Finally Paul articulated his request. He based it on his relationship with Philemon as a Christian brother, a partner in union with Christ.
"Paul’s term ’partner’ must not be weakened to mean merely an intimate friend or companion. It suggests the fellowship or partnership of those who have common interests, common feelings, common work. It is a spiritual fellowship and has a double aspect, Godward as well as brotherward. It is the partnership of mutual Christian faith and life. It is upon Philemon’s acceptance of this fellowship that Paul bases his appeal. The form of the conditional sentence assumes the reality of that fact. Philemon’s refusal of Paul’s request would be inconsistent with his acknowledgment of this partnership." [Note: Hiebert, p. 117.]
One writer believed that fellowship is the major concept in this epistle. [Note: Darrell L. Bock, "A Theology of Paul’s Prison Epistles," in A Biblical Theology of the New Testament, p. 307.]
"Onesimus, in the lowest social status in the Roman world—a slave with no rights—was on a spiritual plane equal with his owner Philemon and with the leading apostle!" [Note: Edwin C. Deibler, "Philemon," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, p. 772.]
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