The 18th book of the
New Testament
This is a letter written by the
Apostle Paul to Philemon (a rich member of the Church at Collose). This letter is more of a personal nature, advising his friend Philemon on how to handle the issue of his runaway servant,
Onesimus.
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Previous Book: Titus
back to the
King James Bible
Chapter 1
1:1
Paul, a prisoner of
Jesus Christ, and
Timothy our brother, unto
Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow
labourer, 1:2 And to our
beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow
soldier, and to the church in
thy house: 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from
God our
Father and
the
Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 1:5
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus,
and toward all saints; 1:6 That the
communication of thy faith may
become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in
you in Christ Jesus.
1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the
bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee,
brother.
1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee
that which is
convenient, 1:9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech
thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of
Jesus Christ.
1:10 I beseech thee for my son
Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my
bonds: 1:11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now
profitable to thee and to me: 1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou
therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 1:13 Whom I would
have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have
ministered unto
me in the bonds of the gospel: 1:14 But without thy mind would I do
nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of
necessity, but
willingly.
1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a
season, that thou
shouldest receive him for ever; 1:16 Not now as a servant, but above a
servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto
thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 1:17 If thou count me
therefore a partner, receive him as
myself.
1:18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine
account; 1:19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay
it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou
owest unto me even thine own
self besides.
1:20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the
Lord: refresh my
bowels in the Lord.
1:21 Having confidence in thy
obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing
that thou wilt also do more than I say.
1:22 But withal prepare me also a
lodging: for I trust that through
your prayers I shall be given unto you.
1:23 There salute thee
Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
1:24
Marcus,
Aristarchus,
Demas,
Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: Philemon
Philemon was an inhabitant of Colosse, a person of some note
and wealth, and a convert under the ministry of St.
Paul.
Onesimus was the
Slave of
Philemon: having run away from his
master, he went to
Rome, where he was converted to the
Christian
Faith,
By the
Word as set forth
By Paul, who kept him till his
conduct proved the
Truth and sincerity of his
Conversion. He
wished to repair the injury he had done to his master, but
fearing the
Punishment his
Offence deserved might be inflicted,
he entreated the
Apostle to write to
Philemon. And St.
Paul
seems
No where to reason more beautifully, or to entreat more
forcibly, than in this epistle.
Chapter: 1
Overview:
The
Apostle's joy and praise for
Philemon's steady
Faith in
the
Lord Jesus, and
Love to all the saints.
(1-7) He recommends
Onesimus as one who would make rich amends for the misconduct of
which he had been guilty; and
On behalf of whom the
Apostle
promises to make up any loss
Philemon had sustained.
(8-22)
Salutations and a blessing.
(23-25)
1-7 Faith in
Christ, and
Love to him, should unite saints more
closely than any outward relation can unite the people of the
world.
Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering
his friends. We must remember
Christian friends much and often,
as their cases may need, bearing them in our thoughts, and upon
our hearts, before our
God. Different sentiments and ways in
what is not essential, must not make difference of
Affection, as
to the
Truth. He inquired concerning his friends, as to the
Truth, growth, and fruitfulness of their graces, their
Faith in
Christ, and
Love to him, and to all the saints. The good which
Philemon did, was matter of joy and comfort to him and others,
who therefore desired that he would continue and abound in good
fruits, more and more, to
God's honour.
8-14 It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes
even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might
command: the
Apostle argues from
Love, rather than authority, in
behalf of one converted through his means; and this was
Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies
"profitable," the
Apostle allows that in time past he had been
unprofitable to
Philemon, but hastens to mention the change
By
which he had become profitable. Unholy persons are unprofitable;
they answer not the great
End of their being. But what happy
changes
Conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable,
useful. Religious servants are treasures in a family. Such will
make
Conscience of their time and trusts, and manage all they
can for the best.
No prospect of usefulness should lead any to
neglect their obligations, or to fail in obedience to superiors.
One great evidence of true
Repentance consists in returning to
practise the duties which have been neglected. In his
unconverted state,
Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's
injury; but now he had seen his
Sin and repented, he was willing
and desirous to return to his duty. Little do men know for what
purposes the
Lord leaves some to change their situations, or
engage in undertakings, perhaps from evil motives. Had not the
Lord overruled some of our ungodly projects, we may reflect upon
cases, in which our
Destruction must have been sure.
15-22 When we speak of the nature of any
Sin or
Offence against
God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent
sinner, as
God covers it,
So must we. Such changed characters
often become a blessing to all among whom they reside.
Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs
to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in
owning their faults, as doubtless
Onesimus had been to
Paul,
upon his being awakened and brought to
Repentance; especially in
cases of injury done to others. The
Communion of saints does not
destroy distinction of property. This
Passage is an instance of
that being imputed to one, which is contracted
By another; and
of one becoming answerable for another,
By a voluntary
engagement, that he might be freed from the
Punishment due to
his crimes, according to the doctrine that
Christ of his own
will bore the
Punishment of our sins, that we might receive the
reward of his
Righteousness.
Philemon was
Paul's son in the
Faith, yet he entreated him as a
Brother.
Onesimus was a
Poor
Slave, yet
Paul besought for him as if seeking some great thing
for himself. Christians should do what may give joy to the
hearts of one another. From the world they expect trouble; they
should find comfort and joy in one another. When any of our
mercies are taken away, our trust and
Hope must be in
God. We
must diligently use the means, and if
No other should be at
Hand, abound in
Prayer. Yet, though
Prayer prevails, it does not
merit the things obtained. And if Christians do not meet
On
Earth, still the
Grace of the
Lord Jesus will be with their
spirits, and they will soon meet before the
Throne to join for
ever in admiring the riches of redeeming
Love. The
Example of
Onesimus may encourage the vilest sinners to return to
God, but
it is shamefully prevented, if any are made bold thereby to
persist in evil
Courses. Are not many taken away in their sins,
while others become more hardened? Resist not present
convictions, lest they return
No more.
23-25 Never have believers found more enjoyment of
God, than
when suffering together for him.
Grace is the best wish for
ourselves and others; with this the
Apostle begins and ends. All
Grace is from
Christ; he purchased, and he bestows it. What need
we more to make us happy, than to have the
Grace of our
Lord
Jesus Christ with our
Spirit? Let us do that now, which we
should do at the last breath. Then men are ready to renounce the
world, and to prefer the least portion of
Grace and
Faith before
a kingdom.