instance, directly after an allusion to another Onesimus (Ephes- ians, ii.). 21. More than I say (d7rép). Beyond. Possibly hinting at
manumission.
22. Withal (dua). Simultaneously with the fulfilment of my request.
A lodging. Paul is expecting a speedy liberation. His original plan of going from Rome to Spain has apparently been altered. Lightfoot observes that “there is a gentle compulsion in this mention of a personal visit to Colossae. The apostle would thus be able to see for himself that Philemon had not disappointed his expectations.”
I shall be given (yapicIjoouar). A beautiful assumption of his correspondent’s affection for him, in that his visit to them will be @ gracious gift (ydpis). The word is also used of grant- ing for destruction, Acts xxv. 11; or for preservation, Acts iii. 14.
23. Epaphras my fellow-prisoner (Ezragpdas 0 cuvarypar- wT6s gov). Epaphras is mentioned Col. i. 7; iv. 12. Some identify him with Epaphroditus, but without sufficient reason. Epaphroditus appears to have been a native of Philippi (Philip. ii. 25), and Epaphras of Colossae (Col. iv. 12). Epaphroditus is always used of the Philippian, and Epaphras of the Colos- sian. The names, however, are the same, Epaphras being a contraction.
It is disputed whether fedlow-prisoner is to be taken in a lit- eral or in a spiritual sense. For the latter see Rom. vii. 23; 2 Cor. x. 5; Eph. iv. 8. Compare jfellow-soldier, ver. 2, and Philip. ii. 25. In Rom. xvi. 7, the word used here is applied to Andronicus and Junia. Paul was not strictly an al’yyddwros prisoner of war (see on Luke iv. 18). The probabilities seem to favor the spiritual sense. Lightfoot suggests that Epaphras’ relations with Paul at Rome may have excited suspicion and Jed to his temporary confinement; or that he may voluntarily have shared Paul’s imprisonment.