Philemon 1

Philemon 1:2

IN thy house] namely, in Philemons house.

Philemon 1:5

Hearing] this is the cause of the thankes which he had given him in the former verses as in the sixt verse is contained the end of the request Toward all] this hath a relation to his charity

Philemon 1:6

Communication] namely, the faith which thou hast common with other members of Christ, may be lively, and bring forth more and more its true effects, whereby thou Philemon, and all the rest of you to whom I write, may duely acknowledge d give Christ the honour, for all the good things which you professe through his benefit.

Philemon 1:7

The bowels] thou hast relieved and assisted the faithfull with such a hearty love, that besides the corporall assistance, their hearts and spirits have been comforted and rejoyced.

Philemon 1:8

In Christ] namely, by my apostolicall authority which I have from Christ in his Church.

Philemon 1:9

Such a one] namely, an Apostle, and Superiour to all the Ministers of the Church of inferiour degree The aged] in the quality of a meer pastor of the Church: in which I acknowledge thee to be my fellow. vers. 1. and as thou are such, I treat with thee by way of intreaty A prisoner] which should the rather incline thee to grant my request.

Philemon 1:10

My sonne] of whose conversion, and regeneration I have been the instrument, having first instructed him in Christian doctrine, 1 Corinthians 4:15. 1 Timothy 1:2.

Philemon 1:11

Unprofitable] an epithite of an evil servant, Matth. 25. 30. Luke 17:10. that is to say, negligent, good for nothing, disloyall, an evil liver Profitable] because that he may by thy consent doe me that service which thou shouldest and wouldest personally do if thou wert present, v. 13.

Philemon 1:12

Mine owne bowels] namely, my most deare and most tender child.

Philemon 1:13

In thy stead] See 1 Corinthians 16:17. Philippians 2:30. Of the Gospel] In which bonds I am bound for preaching of it.

Philemon 1:14

Thy benefit] namely, of granting me thy servant Of necessity] as it would have seemed to have been, if I had kept him, whilst he was not in thine hands But willingly] as it will be, if thou dost send him back againe to me when he is with thee.

Philemon 1:15

For perhaps] he confirms the request made v. 10. referring Onesimus his running away, to a secret providence of God, who had from thence taken the occasion of converting him: whereby he was to be reunited to his master, no more in a transitory quality of a servant, but in an everlasting quality of a spiritual brother in Christ.

Philemon 1:16

In the flesh] in regard of the bonds, and duties of this life, which were not disannulled by Onesimus his conversion, but were made more loyall and voluntary in him, and therefore more pleasing and acceptable to the master, See 1 Timothy 6:2. In the Lord] by the spiritual bond of the common faith in Christ.

Philemon 1:17

A partner] in the grace of God, and in the office of his service.

Philemon 1:19

I doe not say] I might desire thee to remit unto him all this debt, or dammage, in exchange of the spirituall good which thou hast received by my meanes whereby thou art in some sort bound to me for the salvation of thy soule; but I wil give up my right in that, and so doe conceive that thou art fully satisfied.

Philemon 1:20

Let me have] in the Greeke text there is an allusion to the name of Onesimus, which signifieth a man from whom one receiveth pleasure, or profit In the Lord] that is to say, no carnall, but a spirituall profit or pleasure Refresh] comfort me with a Christian joy.

Philemon 1:22

Be given] that is to say, be restored to libertie.

Philemon 1:23

In Christ Jesus] that is to say, my partner in the faith of Christ, for which I being a prisoner Ephes. 4. 1. he stayes with me, for love of me. Or he salutes you with the rest in Christ, that is to say, with a salutation of Christian charity.

Philemon 1:24

My fellow-labourers] all these men, are likewise named, Col. 4. 10. 14. whence it is presumed, that Philemon also was a Collossian, See v. 2.