He therefore departed (da tovTo éywpicdn). The A. V. misses the ingenious shading of Paul’s expression. Not only does he avoid the word ran away, which might have irritated Philemon, but he also uses the passive voice, not the middle, sep- arated himself, as an intimation that Onesimus’ flight was di- vinely ordered for good. Hence Rev., correctly, he was parted. Compare Gen. xlv. 5.
For a season (pos bpav). A brief season. See 2 Cor. vu. 8; Gal. ii. 5.
Thou shouldst receive (aéyns). The compounded prep- osition ao may mean back again, after the temporary separa- tion, or am full, wholly. The former is suggested by was parted, and would fain have kept: but the latter by ver. 16, no longer as a servant, but more. The latter is preferable. Com- pare the use of awéyw in Matt. vi. 2, they have received (see note); Matt. vi. 16; Luke vi. 24; Philip. iv. 18; and dronap- Bavo receive, Gal. iv. 5.
16. Not now (ovxérs). Rev., more correctly, no longer. The negative adverb ovxérs states the fact absolutely, not as it may be conceived by Philemon (unxérv). However Philemon may regard Onesimus, as a fact he is now no longer as a slave.
Above (imép). Rev., more than. More than a slave—a whole man.
Especially (uddora). Connect with beloved. Especially to me as compared with other Christians.
How much more (7réc@ waddov). Beloved most to Paul, how much more than most to Philemon, since he belonged to him in a double sense, as a slave and as a Christian brother: én the flesh and in the Lord. “Tn the flesh Paul had the brother for a slave: in the Lord he had the slave for a brother” (Meyer).
17. Then (odv). Resumptive from ver. 12.
Thou count (éyeus). Lit., hold, which is often used in this sense. Compare Luke xiv. 18, hold me or count me as excused. Philip. ii. 29, hold such in reputation.
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