Reference: Philemon, Epistle To
Easton
was written from Rome at the same time as the epistles to the Colossians and Ephesians, and was sent also by Onesimus. It was addressed to Philemon and the members of his family.
It was written for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (q.v.), who had deserted his master Philemon and been "unprofitable" to him. Paul had found Onesimus at Rome, and had there been instrumental in his conversion, and now he sends him back to his master with this letter.
This epistle has the character of a strictly private letter, and is the only one of such epistles preserved to us. "It exhibits the apostle in a new light. He throws off as far as possible his apostolic dignity and his fatherly authority over his converts. He speaks simply as Christian to Christian. He speaks, therefore, with that peculiar grace of humility and courtesy which has, under the reign of Christianity, developed the spirit of chivalry and what is called 'the character of a gentleman,' certainly very little known in the old Greek and Roman civilization" (Dr. Barry). (See Slave.)
Hastings
PHILEMON, EPISTLE TO.
1. Occasion and contents.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Were thou called being a bondman? It should not concern thee. However if also thou are able to become free, take advantage of it instead. For he who was called in Lord a bondman is a freedman of Lord. Likewise also he who was called a free man is a bondman of Christ. read more. Ye were bought with a price, become not bondmen of men. Brothers, each man, in what he was called, should remain in this before God.
For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
I therefore, the prisoner in Lord, call on you to walk worthily of the calling in which ye were called,
For ye are men who know this, that no fornicator, or unclean man, or covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God. Let no man deceive you by empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. read more. Do not become ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were once darkness, but now light in Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
for which I am an ambassador in bondage, so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the good-news, you all being partners with me of the grace.
What then? Except in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice, but also I will rejoice.
Bondmen, obey in all things those masters according to flesh, not in eye-service as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.
Masters, present to the bondmen what is right and equitable, knowing that ye also have a Master in heavens.
Praying simultaneously about us also, so that God may open to us a door of the word, to speak the mystery of the Christ, because of which I have also been bound,
your speech always with grace seasoned with salt, to know how it is fitting for you to answer each one.
with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother who is of you. They will make known to you all things here.
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloved and co-workman,
I thank my God, making recollection of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the sanctified, read more. so that the fellowship of thy faith may become potent (in the knowledge of every good thing in us) for Christ Jesus. For we have much joy and encouragement in thy love, because the bowels of the sanctified have been refreshed by thee, brother. Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command thee that which is befitting, because of love I rather beseech, being such as aged Paul, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
because of love I rather beseech, being such as aged Paul, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
because of love I rather beseech, being such as aged Paul, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my child Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds.
I beseech thee for my child Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds. A man formerly unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me, whom I sent back.
A man formerly unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me, whom I sent back.
A man formerly unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me, whom I sent back. And thou should welcome him, that is, my bowels.
And thou should welcome him, that is, my bowels. Whom I wanted to keep back for myself, so that in thy behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the good-news.
Whom I wanted to keep back for myself, so that in thy behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the good-news.
Whom I wanted to keep back for myself, so that in thy behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the good-news. But I wanted to do nothing without thy mind, so that thy goodness might not be as from obligation, but from volition.
But I wanted to do nothing without thy mind, so that thy goodness might not be as from obligation, but from volition. For perhaps because of this he departed for an hour, so that thou might receive him back forever, read more. no longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in flesh and in Lord.
no longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in flesh and in Lord. If then thou have me a partner, accept him as myself.
I Paul write with my hand, I will repay, so that I may not say to thee that thou owe me in return even thyself.
I Paul write with my hand, I will repay, so that I may not say to thee that thou owe me in return even thyself. Yes, brother, let me have a favor of thee in Lord. Refresh my bowels in Lord.
Yes, brother, let me have a favor of thee in Lord. Refresh my bowels in Lord. Being confident in thine obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou will do above what I say.
Being confident in thine obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou will do above what I say. But simultaneously also prepare a lodging for me, for I hope that by your prayers I will be granted to you.
But simultaneously also prepare a lodging for me, for I hope that by your prayers I will be granted to you.