by the Apostle, he would on no account retain him at Rome, but sent him back to his master, Philemon, at Colosse.]
2. The exquisite delicacy with which he pleaded his cause —
[In point of delicacy of feeling and sentiment, this epistle has not perhaps its equal in the world. Some of its leadin^i- features we will pi'oceed to notice.
The Apostle's object was, so to break the matter to Phile- mon, as not to shock his feelings ; and so plead the cause of Onesimus, as to procure for him a favourable reception. Hence arose a necessity for touching every point with tenderness and delicacy ; which the Apostle proceeded to do, not by rules of art, (though the most consummate wisdom could not have devised any plan more appropriate than that which is here pursued,) but by the simple dictates of love.
He begins with acknowledging Philemon's eminence both in faith and love ; and with declaring, what exquisite joy he felt, both in the accounts which he had heard of him, and in re- membering him before God in his daily supplications''. This had a tendency to disarm Philemon, if he felt any bitter re- sentment against Onesimus : for he could not well indulge hatred, when he himself experienced so much love.
The Apostle then proceeds, in the language of meek entreaty, to request Philemon's pardon in behalf of this returning slave. He reminds Philemon, that, as he himself, no less than Onesi- mus, had received the truth by means of his ministry, he might well assume the authority of a father, and require, rather than request, the performance of so plain a duty : but he chose rather to entreat as a favour, as a favour to him who was now " grown old" in the service of his Lord, and was " a prisoner too for the truth's sake," that he would be reconciled to One- simus, whom the Apostle himself regarded as a son''. How could such a request as this, a request from such a person, under such circumstances, be refused ? Methinks, it was not possible for Philemon, however indignant against Onesimus, to reject a petition offered by his own spiritual father, in such terms as these.
He goes on to remind Philemon, that Onesimus, who had hitherto but ill deserved that name'', since he had been so unprofitable, would henceforth act a more worthy part, and be indeed profitable, in whatever capacity he should be employed. This consideration would not be without its influence ; more especially as the Apostle speaks of himself as having been
^ ver. 4 — 7. " ver. 8 — 10.
^ Onesimus means p-oplahle : and it is in reference to the import of his name that the Apostle speaks.