( Inesimus. Nearly all agree that he could hardly have failed to confer mi him that favor, even if it was not re- quested in so many words, .after such an appeal to ids sentiments of humanity and justice. Thus it was, as Dr. Wordsworth remarks (Sf. PauFs Epistles, p. 328), "by Christianizing the master that the Gospel enfran- chised the slave. It did not legislate about mere nanus and forms, hut it went to the root oftheevil.it spoke to the heart of man. When the heart of the master was
tilled with divine grace, and was warmed will, the love of Christ, the rest would soon follow. The lips would speak hind words, the hands would do liberal things. Every onesimus would he treated by every Philemon as a beloved brother in Christ." See Slavery.
V. Conteti . I lie I pistle commences with the apos- tle's usual salutation to thus,- t,, whom he wrote; after which he affectionately alludes to the good reputation which Philemon, as a Christian, enjoyed, and to the joy which the knowledge of this afforded him (ver. 1 7). He then gently and gracefully introduces the main sub- ject of his epistle hy a reference to the Spiritual obliga- tions under which Philemon lay to him. and on the ground of which he might utter as a command what ho preferred urging as a request. Onesimus is then intro- duced; the change of mind and character he had expe- rienced is slated; his offence in deserting his master is
not palliated; his increased worth and usefulness are dwelt upon, and his former master is entreated to re- ceive him hack, not only without severity, but with the feeling due from one I Indian to another (ver. 8-16).
The apostle then delicately refers to the mat I er of com- pensation for any loss which Philemon might have sns- laiued. either through the dishonesty of Onesimus or simply through the want of his service: and though he reminds his friend that he might justly hold the latter
his debtor for a much larger a tint (seeing he owed to
the apostle his nun silt i. he pledges himself, under his own hand, to make good that loss (ver. 17 19). The epistle concludes with some additional expressions of friendly solicitude; a request that Philemon would pre- pare the apostle a lodging, as he trusted soon to visit him: and the salutations of the apostle and some of the Christians by whom he was surrounded at the time
(ver. --'n 25).
VI. Character. The Epistle to Philemon has one pe- culiar feature its oat helical character il may he termed - which distinguishes it from all the other i pistles. and demands a Special notice at our hands. It has heeli de-
PHILEMON, EPISTLE TO i
servedly admired as a model of delicacy and skill in the department of composition to which it belongs. The writer had peculiar difficulties to overcome. He was the common friend of the parties at variance. He must conciliate a man who supposed that he had good reason to be offended. He must commend the offender, and yet neither deny nor aggravate the imputed fault He must assert the new ideas of Christian equality in the face of a system which hardly recognised the humanity of the enslaved. He could have placed the question on the ground of his own personal lights, and yet must waive them in order to secure an act of spontaneous kindness. His success must be a triumph of love, and nothing be demanded for the sake of the justice which could have claimed everything. He limits his request to a forgiveness of the alleged wrong, and a restoration to favor and the enjoyment of future sympathy and af- fection, and yet would so guard his words as to leave scope for all the generosity which benevolence might prompt towards one. whose condition admitted of so much alleviation. These are contrarieties not easy to harmonize; but Paul, it is confessed, has shown a degree of self-denial and a tact in dealing with them which, in being equal to the occasion, could hardly be greater. This letter, says Eichhorn. is a voucher for the apostle's urbanity, politeness, and knowledge of the world. His advocacy of Onesimus is of the most insinuating and persuasive character, and yet without the slightest per- version or concealment of any fact. The errors of Ones- imus are admitted, as was necessary, lest the just indig- nation of his master against him should be roused anew ; but they are alluded to in the most admirable manner : the good side of Onesimus is brought to view, but in such a way as to facilitate the friendly reception of him by his master, as a consequence of Christianity, to which he had, during his absence, been converted; and his fut- ure fidelity is vouched for by the noble principles of Chris- tianity to which he had been converted. The apostle addresses Philemon on the softest side : who would wil- fully refuse to an aged, a suffering, and an unjustly im- prisoned friend a request? And such was he who thus pleaded for Onesimus. The person recommended is a Christian, a dear friend of the apostle's, and one who had personally served him : if Philemon will receive him kindly, it will afford the apostle a proof of his love, and yield him joy. What need, then, for long urgency? The apostle is certain that Philemon will, of his own accord, do even more than he is asked. More cogently and more courteously no man cuuld plead (Einleil. ins X. T. iii, 30.0),