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
A bond-servant, wast thou called? let it not cause thee concern; but, if thou canst even become, free, rather use it. For, he who in the Lord was called, being a bond-servant, is, a freed-man of the Lord: in like manner, he that was called being, a freeman, is Christ's bond-servant: - read more. With a price, have ye been bought, - do not become bond-servants of men: Each one, wherein he was called, brethren, in the same, let him abide with God.
For this cause, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you the nations: -
I exhort you, therefore, I, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk in a manner worthy of the calling wherewith ye were called: -
For, this, ye know, if ye take note - that no fornicator, or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God. Let no one be deceiving you with empty words; for, because of these things, is coming the anger of God upon the sons of obstinacy: read more. Do not, then, become co-partners with them; For ye were, at one time, darkness, but, now, are ye light in the Lord, - as children of light, be walking, For, the fruit of the light, is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth, -
In behalf of which I am conducting an embassy in chains, that, therein, I may use freedom of utterance as it is needful for me to speak.
According as it is right in me to have this regard in behalf of you all, - because ye have had me in your hearts, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the glad-message, all of you being, joint partakers of my favour.
What then? That, in any way, whether in pretext, or in truth, Christ, is declared, and, in this, I rejoice - yea, and will rejoice!
Ye servants! be obedient, in all things, unto them who, according to the flesh, are your masters, - not with eye-service, as man-pleasers, but with singleness of heart, revering the Lord, -
Ye masters! that which is just and equitable, unto your servants, be rendering, knowing that, ye also, have a Master in heaven.
Praying, at the same time, for us also, - that, God, would open unto us a door for the word, so that we may speak the sacred secret of the Christ - for the sake of which also I am in bonds,
Your discourse being always with benefit, with salt, seasoned, - that ye may know how it behoveth you, unto each one, to be making answer.
Together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is from among you: - all things, unto you, will they make known, that are taking place here.
The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand: - keep in mind my bonds. Favour be with you!
The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand: - keep in mind my bonds. Favour be with you!
Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy my brother, - unto Philemon the beloved, and a fellow worker of ours,
I am giving thanks unto my God - always, making mention, of thee, in my prayers, Hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints, - read more. To the end that, the fellowship of thy faith, may become, energetic, by a personal knowledge of every good thing that is in us towards Christ; For, much joy, have I had, and encouragement, by occasion of thy love, in that, the tender affections of the saints, have had rest given them by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I have, much, freedom of speech, in Christ, to be enjoining upon thee that which is befitting, Yet, for loves sake, I rather exhort, - being, such a one, as Paul the aged, now, also, even a prisoner of Christ Jesus, -
Yet, for loves sake, I rather exhort, - being, such a one, as Paul the aged, now, also, even a prisoner of Christ Jesus, -
Yet, for loves sake, I rather exhort, - being, such a one, as Paul the aged, now, also, even a prisoner of Christ Jesus, - I exhort thee concerning my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, - Onesimus:
I exhort thee concerning my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, - Onesimus:
I exhort thee concerning my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, - Onesimus: Him who, at one time, was, unto thee, unserviceable, but, now, unto thee and unto me, serviceable;
Him who, at one time, was, unto thee, unserviceable, but, now, unto thee and unto me, serviceable;
Him who, at one time, was, unto thee, unserviceable, but, now, unto thee and unto me, serviceable; Whom I have sent back unto thee - him, that is, my own, tender affections! -
Whom I have sent back unto thee - him, that is, my own, tender affections! - Whom, I, was minded, with myself, to detain, that, in thy behalf, unto me, he might be ministering in the bonds of the joyful message;
Whom, I, was minded, with myself, to detain, that, in thy behalf, unto me, he might be ministering in the bonds of the joyful message;
Whom, I, was minded, with myself, to detain, that, in thy behalf, unto me, he might be ministering in the bonds of the joyful message; But, apart from thy mind, I wished to do, nothing, that, not as by necessity, thy goodness should be, but, by choice.
But, apart from thy mind, I wished to do, nothing, that, not as by necessity, thy goodness should be, but, by choice. For, peradventure, for this cause, was he separated for an hour, that, as an age-abiding possession, thou mightest have him back, - read more. No longer as a servant, but above a servant - a brother beloved, very greatly to me, but, how much rather, to thee - both in the flesh and in the Lord!
No longer as a servant, but above a servant - a brother beloved, very greatly to me, but, how much rather, to thee - both in the flesh and in the Lord! If, therefore, thou holdest me as one in thy fellowship, take him unto thee, as myself;
If, therefore, thou holdest me as one in thy fellowship, take him unto thee, as myself;
I, Paul, have written it with, my own, hand, - I, will repay it ; that I may not tell thee - that, thyself, unto me, thou still owest.
I, Paul, have written it with, my own, hand, - I, will repay it ; that I may not tell thee - that, thyself, unto me, thou still owest. Yea! brother, I, would, from thee, have help, in the Lord: give rest unto my tender affections in Christ.
Yea! brother, I, would, from thee, have help, in the Lord: give rest unto my tender affections in Christ. Confident of thine obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that, even beyond what I say, thou wilt do: -
Confident of thine obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that, even beyond what I say, thou wilt do: - At the same time, moreover, be also getting ready for me, a lodging; for I am hoping that, through your prayers, I shall be granted as a favour unto you.
At the same time, moreover, be also getting ready for me, a lodging; for I am hoping that, through your prayers, I shall be granted as a favour unto you.