Philemon 1

Philemon 1:1

And Adam was not deceived - The serpent deceived Eve: Eve did not deceive Adam, but persuaded him. “Thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife,” Genesis 3:17. The preceding verse showed why a woman should not “usurp authority over the man.” this shows why she ought not “to teach.” She is more easily deceived, and more easily deceives. The woman being deceived transgressed - “The serpent deceived” her, Genesis 3:13, and she transgressed.

Philemon 1:2

Yet she - That is, women in general, who were all involved with Eve in the sentence pronounced, Genesis 3:16. Shall be saved in childbearing - Carried safe through the pain and danger which that sentence entails upon them for the transgression; yea, and finally saved, if they continue in loving faith and holy wisdom.

Philemon 1:4

He desireth a good work - An excellent, but laborious, employment.

Philemon 1:5

Therefore - That he may be capable of it. A bishop - Or pastor of a congregation. Must be blameless - Without fault or just suspicion. The husband of one wife - This neither means that a bishop must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife; which it is just as lawful for him to do as to marry a first, and may in some cases be his bounden duty. But whereas polygamy and divorce on slight occasions were common both among the Jews and heathens, it teaches us that ministers, of all others, ought to stand clear of those sins. Vigilant, prudent - Lively and zealous, yet calm and wise. Of good behaviour - Naturally flowing from that vigilance and prudence.

Philemon 1:7

Having his children in subjection with all seriousness - For levity undermines all domestic authority; and this direction, by a parity of reason, belongs to all parents.

Philemon 1:9

Lest being puffed up - With this new honour, or with the applause which frequently follows it. He fall into the condemnation of the devil - The same into which the devil fell.

Philemon 1:10

He ought also to have a good report - To have had a fair character in time past. From them that are without - That are not Christians. Lest he fall into reproach - By their rehearsing his former life, which might discourage and prove a snare to him.

Philemon 1:11

Likewise the deacons must he serious - Men of a grave, decent, venerable behaviour. But where are presbyters? Were this order essentially distinct from that of bishops, could the apostle have passed it over in silence? Not desirous of filthy gain - With what abhorrence does he everywhere speak of this! All that is gained (above food and raiment) by ministering in holy things is filthy gain indeed; far more filthy than what is honestly gained by raking kennels, or emptying common sewers.

Philemon 1:12

Holding fast the faith in a pure conscience - Steadfast in faith, holy in heart and life.

Philemon 1:13

Let these he proved first - Let a trial be made how they believe. Then let them minister - Let them be fixed in that office.

Philemon 1:14

Faithful in all things - Both to God, their husbands, and the poor.

Philemon 1:16

They purchase a good degree - Or step, toward some higher office. And much boldness - From the testimony of a good conscience.

Philemon 1:18

That thou mayest know how to behave - This is the scope of the epistle. In the house of God - Who is the master of the family. Which is - As if he had said, By the house of God, I mean the church.

Philemon 1:19

The mystery of godliness - Afterwards specified in six articles, which sum up the whole economy of Christ upon earth. Is the pillar and ground - The foundation and support of all the truth taught in his church. God was manifest in the flesh - In the form of a servant, the fashion of a man, for three and thirty years. Justified by the Spirit - Publicly “declared to be the Son of God,” by his resurrection from the dead. Seen - Chiefly after his resurrection. By angels - Both good and bad.

Preached among the gentiles - This elegantly follows. The angels were the least, the gentiles the farthest, removed from him; and the foundation both of this preaching and of their faith was laid before his assumption. Was believed on in the world - Opposed to heaven, into which he was taken up. The first point is, He was manifested in the flesh; the last, He was taken up into glory.

Philemon 1:21

But the Spirit saith - By St. Paul himself to the Thessalonians, and probably by other contemporary prophets. Expressly - As concerning a thing of great moment, and soon to be fulfilled. That in the latter times - These extend from our Lord’s ascension till his coming to judgment. Some - Yea, many, and by degrees the far greater part. Will depart from the faith - The doctrine once delivered to the saints. Giving heed to seducing spirits - Who inspire false prophets.

Philemon 1:22

These will depart from the faith, by the hypocrisy of them that speak lies, having their own consciences as senseless and unfeeling as flesh that is seared with an hot iron.

Philemon 1:23

Forbidding priests, monks, and nuns to marry, and commanding all men to abstain from such and such meats at such and such times. Which God hath created to be received by them that know the truth - That all meats are now clean. With thanksgiving - Which supposes a pure conscience.

Philemon 1:25

It is sanctified by the word of God - Creating all, and giving it to man for food. And by prayer - The children of God are to pray for the sanctification of all the creatures which they use. And not only the Christians, but even the Jews, yea, the very heathens used to consecrate their table by prayer.