Bible Commentary

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 22. He hopes to visit Coloss 22. But withal ] Here is a different matter, yet not quite apart from the main theme. “There is a gentle compulsion in this mention of a personal visit … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:22”

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 21. thy obedience ] The obedience of love, as to a father and benefactor. Cp. Php 2:12. Not love of authority, but a tender gravity in a case so near his heart, speaks here. I wrote … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:21”

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 20. Yea ] So (in the Greek) Mat 15:27; Php 4:3. brother ] Again the word of love and honour, as in Phm 1:7. let me have joy of thee ] We may render, less warmly, “ Let … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:20”

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. 19. I Paul have written it ] Lit., “ did write it; ” an “epistolary aorist” (Col 4:8); “the tense commonly used in signatures” (Lightfoot). … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:19”

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on mine account; 18. If he hath wronged thee ] Lit., But if he wronged thee, before, or when, he fled. See on Phm 1:11. Horace ( Sat., 1. i. 78) says how the anxious master “fears lest his slaves should pillage him and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:18”

If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 17. count ] Lit., “ have,” hold. The word is similarly used Luk 14:18; Php 2:29. a partner ] An associate, a fellow; in faith and interests. The Apostle is altogether the man, the friend. Cp. 2Co 8:23. Wyclif, “ as thou haste me … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:17”

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 16. not now as a servant ] No more as bondservant. Not that he would cease to be such, necessarily, in law; St Paul does not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:16”

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever; 15. For ] He gives a new reason for Onesimus’ return. Perhaps it was on purpose for such a more than restoration that he was permitted to desert Philemon. So to send him back is to carry out God’s plan. perhaps … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:15”

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 14. mind ] Properly, “ opinion,” decision. Latin Versions, consilium. would I do nothing ] Lit., “ nothing I willed to do ” The A. V. represents the idiom rightly. that thy benefit ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:14”

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 13. I would ] Lit., “ I was wishing ” ; the imperfect indicates a half-purpose, stopped by other considerations. Lightfoot compares for similar imperfects Rom 9:3; Gal 4:20. me ] Lit., … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Philemon 1:13”