1. TlauXog, Paul) A familiar and exceedingly courteous s, urbane) epistle, concerning a private affair, is inserted
among the books of the New Testament, intended to afford a specimen of the highest wisdom, as to the manner in which Christians should manage civil (social) affairs on more exalted principles. Frankius says : The single epistle to Philemon very far surpasses all the wisdom of the world. Prsef. N. T. Gr., p. 26, 27. — dsff^ios, a prisoner) and therefore one to whom why should Philemon refuse his request? ver. 9. — Tifjk66eos9 Timothy) This epistle (ver. 22) was written before the second Epistle to Timothy.
2. 'Acr^/a, to Apphia) the wife of Philemon, who had some thing to do with the business of Onesimus. — o7x.6v <rou, thy house) viz. Philemon's.
5. 'AXOUWV, hearing) Paul had gained over Philemon, ver. 19, and here he praises his consistent character. From Onesimus himself he might hear of his love and faith. — ayavriv — irionv — qrpbe — Iriffovvxa} si$ — ay/ou£, love — faith — to — Jesus and unto — saints) So Eph. i. 15 : but in this passage there is a Chiasmus in regard to Philemon. The first is connected with the fourth, the second with the third ; but love is put in the first place, because
it is to a specimen of love that he is exhorting Philemon, to whom the order of faith and love had been long known. Paul gives thanks to God for this blessed state of Philemon.
6. "Otfug, that) This depends on tliou hast, ver. 5. — r\ xoivuvia, rrig Kiart&g ffov, the communion [the communication^] of thy faith) i.e. thy faith, which thou hast in common with us and exercisest. — IvspyriS ytvrirai, may become effectual) Paul speaks at first in definitely. — ev sKiyvuffei vavrb$ ayaQov, in [by] the acknowledging of every good thing) Every good thing is all the riches which JESUS procured for us by His poverty, when he lived as a poor man upon the earth. He briefly intimates to his friend what he lays down more expressly in 2 Cor. viii. 9, where there is also, ye know. JESUS ought in turn to enjoy (in His own people) those benefits which He has conferred upon us. An elegant circle. ayattv, good or benefit, occurs presently afterwards, ver. 14. — s/c, into) Construed with may become. The good shown to us ought to redound unto Christ.
7. Xapav — xa,} tfapax^avc, joy — and consolation) These words are usually put together [a customary Syntheton] : 2 Cor. vii. 4, and I rejoice, says he, for thanksgiving, 1 Cor. xvi. 1 7, note. [Paul, in respect of God, returns thanks, when he might have said, / rejoice : but when he writes to men, instead of, / return thanks, he says, / rejoiced] — ruv ayiuv, of the saints) The house of Philemon was open to them, ver. 2.
8. A/o, wherefore) I exhort depends on this particle. — !#/- rdffffe/v, to command) Implying great authority, of which the foundation is the obligation of Philemon, ver. 19, requiring obedience, ver. 21.
9. 'A/acr^v, love) Mine to thee, thine to Onesimus. Phile mon's love to Paul was previously mentioned. Paul asks lovingly one who loves him. — /^aXXov, rather) He does not say, if you refuse you will incur my indignation and that of Peter, according to the style of the Koman court, a style which is by no means apostolical. — ^a^axaXw, / beseech).
There are three divisions of the epistle :
I. THE INSCRIPTION, 1-3. II. Having mentioned the flourishing condition of Philemon