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
Have you been called being a slave? let it not be a care to you: but if indeed you are able to become free, use it in preference. For the one having been called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freeman: likewise the one having been called, while free, is the slave of Christ. read more. You have been bought with a price; be not the slaves of men. Let each one remain with the Lord, in the same calling in which he was called, brethren.
Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling with which you are called,
for you are knowing this, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words: for through these the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience. read more. Therefore be not partakers along with them. For at one time ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk about as children of the light, (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
for which I am an ambassador in chain; in order that in it I may preach boldly, as it behooves me to speak.
as it is righteous for me to think in behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, that you are all my fellow-partakers of the grace.
For what is it? moreover that in every place, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and I rejoice in this, yes, and I will rejoice.
Ye servants, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things; not with eye-service, pleasing men, but of purity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Masters, award unto the servants that which is right and equal; knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
at the same time also praying for us, in order that God may open to us the door of the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, on account of which I indeed am bound;
Let your word be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how it behooves you to answer each one.
along with our faithful and beloved brother, Onesimus, who is from you; they will truly make known all things to you.
Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy, to Philemon the beloved also our fellow-laborer,
I give thanks to my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, hearing about your divine love, and the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and all the saints; read more. in order that the fellowship of your faith may be efficient in the perfect knowledge of every good thing which is in you toward Christ. For I had much joy and consolation over your divine love, because the affections of the saints have been refreshed by you, O brother. Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to command you to that which is appropriate, on account of the divine love, I the more exhort you, being such as Paul the aged, and now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ.
on account of the divine love, I the more exhort you, being such as Paul the aged, and now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ.
on account of the divine love, I the more exhort you, being such as Paul the aged, and now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ. I exhort you concerning my son, whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus,
I exhort you concerning my son, whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus, him at one time unprofitable to you, but now profitable both to you and to me: whom I have sent back to you,
him at one time unprofitable to you, but now profitable both to you and to me: whom I have sent back to you,
him at one time unprofitable to you, but now profitable both to you and to me: whom I have sent back to you, him, that is my own heart.
him, that is my own heart. Whom I did wish to have with me, in order that he might minister unto me in your stead in the bonds of the gospel:
Whom I did wish to have with me, in order that he might minister unto me in your stead in the bonds of the gospel:
Whom I did wish to have with me, in order that he might minister unto me in your stead in the bonds of the gospel: but without your consent I did not wish to do anything; in order that your good might not be by constraint, but by the free will:
but without your consent I did not wish to do anything; in order that your good might not be by constraint, but by the free will: for on this account he suddenly departed from you for an hour, that you might have him back forever; read more. no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, and much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord:
no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, and much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord: if then you have me a comrade, receive him as myself.
I Paul have written with my own hand, I will pay it: not that I may say to you that you even owe yourself to me.
I Paul have written with my own hand, I will pay it: not that I may say to you that you even owe yourself to me. Yea, brother, let me rejoice over you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
Yea, brother, let me rejoice over you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than those things which I say.
Having confidence in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than those things which I say. And at the same time also prepare for me a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I will be consigned unto you.
And at the same time also prepare for me a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I will be consigned unto you.