I might be much bold (odd rrappyciav éywv). Better, as Rev., J have ali boldness. SIlappnoia boldness is opposed to fear, John vii. 13; to ambiguity or reserve, John xi. 14. The idea of publicity may attach to it as subsidiary, John vii. 4.
In Christ. As holding apostolic authority from Christ.
That which is convenient (7d dvfjxov). Rev., befitting. Convenient is used in A. V., in the earlier and stricter sense of suitable. Compare Eph. v.4. Thus Latimer: “ Works which are good and convenient to be done.” Applied to persons, as Hooper: “Apt and convenient persons.” The modern sense . merges the idea of essential fitness. The verb dvyj«w originally means £0 come up to ; hence of that which comes up to the mark ; jutting. Compare Col. iii. 18; Eph. v. 4. It conveys here a delicate hint that the kindly reception of Onesimus will be a becoming thing.
9. Being such an one as Paul the aged (rowodros av as Iladros rpecBurns). Being such an one, connect with the pre- vious L rather beseech, and with Paul the aged. Not, being such an one (armed with such authority), as Paul the aged I beseech (the second beseech in ver. 10); but, as Reyv., Jor love's sake I rather beseech, being such an one as Paul the aged. The beseech in ver. 10 is resumptive. Aged ; or ambassador (so Rev., in margin). The latter rendering is supported by speo- Beto I am an ambassador, Eph. vi. 10.* There is no objection to aged on the ground of fact. Paul was about sixty years old, besides being prematurely aged from labor and hardship. For aged see Luke i. 18; Tit. ii. 2.
10. | beseech. Resuming the beseech of ver. 9. I beseech, L repeat.
Onesimus (Ovjciwov). The name is withheld until Paul has favorably disposed Philemon to his request. The word means
—
* Lightfoot thinks the reading may be mpeoBeurts, though he deems the change unnecessary, since, in the common dialect, the two may have been writ- ten indifferently, He cites passages from the Apocrypha in illustration of this interchange, to which Thayer (‘‘ Lexicon ”) adds some inscriptions from the theatre at Ephesus.