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 servant wert thou called? let it not concern thee: for if thou art able to be free, rather make use of it. For the servant called in the Lord, is the freedman of the Lord: likewise also the freedman called, is the servant of Christ. read more. Ye were bought for a price; be ye not servants of men. Each, in what he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God.
For this, I Paul, the imprisoned of Christ Jesus for you the nations,
Therefore I, the imprisoned in the Lord, beseech you to walk Worthy of the calling which ye were called,
For this ye are knowing, that every fornicator, or unclean, or covetous person, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let none lead you astray with vain words: for by these things comes the anger of God upon the sons of disobedience. read more. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were then darkness, and now light in the Lord: walk ye as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and justice and truth.;)
For which I am an ambassador in perplexity: that in it I might speak freely, as I ought to speak.
As it is just for me to think this concerning you all, for my having you in the heart; both in my bonds, and in the justification and confirmation of the good news, ye all being partakers of grace with me.
For what? but in any manner, whether in pretence, or truth, Christ is announced; and in this I rejoice, and certainly I will rejoice.
Servants, listen ye in all things to lords according to the flesh; not in eyeservice as pleasing men; but in simplicity of heart, fearing God:
Lords, render ye to servants Justice and equality; knowing that ye also have a Lord in the heavens.
Praying together also for us, that God would open to us a door of the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, by which also I was bound;
Your word always in grace, Seasoned with salt, to know how it is fitting for you to answer one another.
With Onesimus, the faithful and dearly beloved brother, who is of you. They shall make known to you all the thing here.
PAUL, imprisoned of Jesus Christ, 'Timothy the brother, to Philemon, dearly beloved, and cooperating,
I thank my God, always making remembrance of thee in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou bast to the Lord Jesus, and to all the holy; read more. So that the mutual participation of thy faith might be effective in acknowledgment of every good in you to Christ Jesus. For we have much grace and consolation upon thy love, for the bowels of the holy are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, having much freedom of speech in Christ to enjoin thee what concerns thee, By love I beseech rather, being such as Paul an aged man, and now also the imprisoned of Jesus Christ.
By love I beseech rather, being such as Paul an aged man, and now also the imprisoned of Jesus Christ.
By love I beseech rather, being such as Paul an aged man, and now also the imprisoned of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee for my child whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus.
I beseech thee for my child whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus. Once unprofitable to thee, but now more profitable to thee and to me:
Once unprofitable to thee, but now more profitable to thee and to me: Whom I sent back: and thou him, that is, my bowels, receive again:
Whom I sent back: and thou him, that is, my bowels, receive again: Whom I was wishing to retain to myself, that for thee he might serve me in the bonds of the good news:
Whom I was wishing to retain to myself, that for thee he might serve me in the bonds of the good news:
Whom I was wishing to retain to myself, that for thee he might serve me in the bonds of the good news: But without thy judgment I would do nothing; that good might not be as according to necessity, but according to free will.
But without thy judgment I would do nothing; that good might not be as according to necessity, but according to free will. For perhaps therefore he was separated for a time, that thou mightest receive him forever; read more. No more as a servant, but above a servant, a dearly beloved brother, especially to me, and how much rather to thee, also in the flesh, and in the Lord?
No more as a servant, but above a servant, a dearly beloved brother, especially to me, and how much rather to thee, also in the flesh, and in the Lord? If therefore thou hold me a participator, receive him in addition as me.
I Paul wrote with my hand, I will pay back: that I say not to thee, for thou owest thyself to me also in addition.
I Paul wrote with my hand, I will pay back: that I say not to thee, for thou owest thyself to me also in addition. Yea, brother, may I be profited by thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Yea, brother, may I be profited by thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt do above what I say to thee.
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt do above what I say to thee. And at the same time also prepare for me a reception as a guest: for I hope that by your prayers I shall be given as a favor to you.
And at the same time also prepare for me a reception as a guest: for I hope that by your prayers I shall be given as a favor to you.