Bible Commentary


A A



1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,

2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5 Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.

8 Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient,

9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11 Which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:

12 Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 But without your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever;

16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 If he has wronged you, or owes you ought, put that on my account;

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to you how you owe to me even your own self besides.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

22 But with prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 There salute you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.


ad 64, am 4068

a prisoner: Phm 1:9, Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Eph 6:20, 2Ti 1:8

Timothy: 2Co 1:1, Col 1:1, 2Th 1:1

Philemon: The apostle in this epistle indulges in some fine paronomasais on the proper names. Thus Philemon, Φιλημον [Strong’s G5371], affectionate, or beloved, is "our dearly beloved;" Apphia (Απφια [Strong’s G682], from απφα), the affectionate address of a brother or sister, according to Suidas), is "the beloved sister," as several manuscripts, Vulgate, and others correctly read; Archippus (Αρχιππος [Strong’s G751], the ruler of the horse, for the managing of which heros were anciently famous), is "our fellow- soldier;" and Onesimus (Ονησιμος [Strong’s G3682], useful or profitable), once unprofitable, is now profitable., and fellow labourer, Phm 1:24, 1Co 3:9, Php 2:25, Php 4:3, Col 4:11, 1Th 3:2

Reciprocal: Luk 10:2 - the labourers 1Co 10:14 - my 1Th 2:8 - dear Phm 1:13 - the bonds Heb 13:23 - brother

Archippus: Col 4:17

our fellowsoldier: Php 2:25, 2Ti 2:3, 2Ti 2:4

the church: Rom 16:5, 1Co 16:19, Col 4:15

Reciprocal: Gen 49:8 - thy hand Mat 18:20 - two Mat 20:21 - Grant Act 28:23 - there came Phm 1:24 - my fellowlabourers 3Jn 1:8 - fellowhelpers

Rom 1:7, 2Co 13:14, Eph 1:2

Reciprocal: Mat 6:21 - there Mat 20:21 - Grant 2Co 1:2 - General

Rom 1:8, Eph 1:16, Php 1:3, Col 1:3, 1Th 1:2, 2Th 1:3, 2Ti 1:3

Reciprocal: Rom 1:9 - I make Rom 6:17 - But 1Co 1:14 - thank 2Co 9:12 - only Php 4:19 - God Col 1:9 - do

Hearing: Gal 5:6, Eph 1:15, Col 1:4

toward the Lord: Phm 1:7, Psa 16:3, Act 9:39-41, Rom 12:13, Rom 15:25, Rom 15:26, 1Co 16:1, 1Jn 3:23, 1Jn 5:1, 1Jn 5:2

Reciprocal: 2Co 8:4 - the ministering Eph 6:18 - supplication Eph 6:23 - and love Php 1:3 - upon Php 1:27 - I may Php 2:19 - that I 1Th 1:3 - and labour 1Th 3:6 - faith 1Th 4:10 - all the 1Ti 6:2 - because they are Tit 3:15 - love Heb 6:10 - which Heb 13:24 - and all 3Jn 1:2 - even 3Jn 1:6 - have borne witness of thy charity

the communication: 2Co 9:12-14, Php 1:9-11, Tit 3:14, Heb 6:10, Jas 2:14, Jas 2:17

the acknowledging: Mat 5:16, 1Co 14:25, Php 4:8, 1Pe 1:5-8, 1Pe 2:12, 1Pe 3:1, 1Pe 3:16

in you: 2Pe 1:8

Reciprocal: 1Ki 14:13 - there is found Mat 25:16 - went 2Co 1:13 - than 2Co 8:4 - the ministering Heb 13:16 - communicate

great joy: 1Th 1:3, 1Th 2:13, 1Th 2:19, 1Th 3:9, 2Jn 1:4, 3Jn 1:3-6

the bowels: Phm 1:20, 2Co 7:13, 2Ti 1:16

Reciprocal: Gen 33:9 - my brother Rth 2:16 - General 1Ch 29:17 - joy thy people Job 29:13 - I caused Pro 27:11 - be wise Isa 58:7 - to deal Mat 6:2 - when Mat 25:16 - went Mat 25:35 - I was an Mar 14:7 - ye have Luk 14:13 - call Act 16:34 - when Rom 12:13 - Distributing Rom 15:32 - and may 1Co 16:1 - the saints 1Co 16:15 - to the Php 1:4 - with Phm 1:5 - toward the Lord

bold: 2Co 3:12, 2Co 10:1, 2Co 10:2, 2Co 11:21, 1Th 2:2, 1Th 2:6

enjoin: 2Co 10:8

Reciprocal: Gen 50:17 - servants 1Ch 13:2 - If it seem Neh 5:10 - I pray you Psa 37:25 - I have Jer 38:20 - Obey Act 15:2 - should Rom 1:28 - not convenient 2Co 7:16 - that Eph 5:4 - convenient Php 4:3 - I Phm 1:14 - without Heb 13:22 - suffer

love’s sake: Rom 12:1, 2Co 5:20, 2Co 6:1, Eph 4:1, Heb 13:19, 1Pe 2:11

Paul: Psa 71:9, Psa 71:18, Pro 16:31, Isa 46:4

prisoner: Phm 1:1, Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1

Reciprocal: Jdg 21:22 - Be favourable unto them 2Sa 9:1 - show him 1Ch 13:2 - If it seem Neh 5:10 - I pray you Psa 37:25 - I have Pro 23:24 - shall have Isa 11:6 - General Act 15:2 - should Act 16:23 - they cast Act 21:16 - an old Act 23:18 - Paul 1Co 1:10 - I beseech 2Co 10:1 - I Paul 2Co 11:23 - in prisons Gal 5:2 - I Paul Php 4:3 - I 1Th 2:6 - when 1Th 2:18 - even 1Th 4:1 - we 1Ti 5:1 - entreat Phm 1:14 - without Heb 13:22 - suffer 1Pe 5:1 - who

my son: 2Sa 9:1-7, 2Sa 18:5, 2Sa 19:37, 2Sa 19:38, Mar 9:17, 1Ti 1:2, Tit 1:4

Onesimus: Col 4:9

whom: 1Co 4:15, Gal 4:19

Reciprocal: Gen 49:8 - thy hand Deu 23:15 - General Luk 6:42 - cast Luk 7:3 - General Act 28:20 - this chain 1Co 1:10 - I beseech Eph 4:1 - beseech Eph 6:20 - bonds 1Th 4:1 - we 1Ti 1:18 - son 1Ti 5:1 - entreat 1Ti 6:2 - believing Phm 1:17 - receive 1Pe 2:11 - I beseech 3Jn 1:4 - that

unprofitable: Job 30:1, Job 30:2, Mat 25:30, Luk 17:10, Rom 3:12, 1Pe 2:10

profitable: Luk 15:24, Luk 15:32, 2Ti 4:11

Reciprocal: Gen 49:8 - thy hand Jer 13:7 - it was Luk 6:42 - cast Tit 3:8 - good

thou: Mat 6:14, Mat 6:15, Mat 18:21-35, Mar 11:25, Eph 4:32

mine: Deu 13:6, 2Sa 16:11, Jer 31:20, Luk 15:20

Reciprocal: Gen 15:4 - shall come Mic 6:7 - body Rom 11:14 - my Rom 16:2 - ye receive 2Co 7:2 - Receive Php 1:8 - in Phm 1:17 - receive Phm 1:20 - refresh

in thy stead: 1Co 16:17, Php 2:30

the bonds: Phm 1:1, Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1

Reciprocal: 1Ki 19:21 - ministered Mat 20:26 - minister Act 28:20 - this chain

without: Phm 1:8, Phm 1:9, 2Co 1:24, 1Pe 5:3

thy benefit: 1Ch 29:17, Psa 110:3, 1Co 9:7, 1Co 9:17, 2Co 8:12, 2Co 9:5, 2Co 9:7, 1Pe 5:2

Reciprocal: Jdg 5:2 - when 2Ki 8:9 - Thy son Benhadad Act 5:4 - was it not thine 2Co 8:3 - beyond 1Pe 4:9 - without

Gen 45:5-8, Gen 50:20, Psa 76:10, Isa 20:6, Act 4:28

Reciprocal: Luk 15:10 - one

a brother: Mat 23:8, Act 9:17, Gal 4:28, Gal 4:29, 1Ti 6:2, Heb 3:1, 1Pe 1:22, 1Pe 1:23, 1Jn 5:1

both in: Eph 6:5-7, Col 3:22

Reciprocal: Gen 33:9 - my brother Mat 8:6 - my Luk 15:27 - Thy brother Joh 15:15 - I call Act 10:7 - two Act 15:25 - our Act 22:13 - Brother 1Co 7:22 - is the Eph 6:21 - beloved

thou count: Act 16:15, 2Co 8:23, Eph 3:6, Php 1:7, 1Ti 6:2, Heb 3:1, Heb 3:14, Jas 2:5, 1Pe 5:1, 1Jn 1:3

receive: Phm 1:10, Phm 1:12, Mat 10:40, Mat 12:48-50, Mat 18:5, Mat 25:40

Reciprocal: Rom 16:2 - ye receive 2Co 7:2 - Receive Php 1:5 - General

put that: Isa 53:4-7,*Heb:

Reciprocal: Gen 43:9 - will be Lev 17:4 - blood shall 1Sa 25:24 - Upon 2Sa 2:6 - I also Psa 119:122 - surety Pro 6:1 - if thou be Mat 18:29 - Have Rom 4:8 - to whom Col 3:25 - he that

I Paul: 1Co 16:21, 1Co 16:22, Gal 5:2, Gal 6:11

how thou: 1Co 4:15, 1Co 9:1, 1Co 9:2, 2Co 3:2, 1Ti 1:2, Tit 1:4, Jas 5:19, Jas 5:20

Reciprocal: Gen 43:9 - will be Lev 17:4 - blood shall 1Sa 25:24 - Upon 2Sa 2:6 - I also Psa 119:122 - surety Pro 6:1 - if thou be Pro 17:21 - hath Pro 27:11 - be wise Mat 6:21 - there Mat 18:29 - Have Rom 4:8 - to whom Rom 15:27 - and Gal 4:19 - little 1Ti 4:16 - them

let me: 2Co 2:2, 2Co 7:4-7, 2Co 7:13, Php 2:2, Php 4:1, 1Th 2:19, 1Th 2:20, 1Th 3:7-9, Heb 13:17, 3Jn 1:4

refresh: Phm 1:7, Phm 1:12, Php 1:8, Php 2:1, 1Jn 3:17

Reciprocal: 1Ch 29:17 - joy thy people Pro 17:21 - hath Pro 23:24 - shall have Pro 27:11 - be wise Rom 15:32 - and may 2Ti 1:16 - refreshed

2Co 2:3, 2Co 7:16, 2Co 8:22, Gal 5:10, 2Th 3:4

Reciprocal: Rom 15:14 - I 2Co 2:9 - whether Php 1:6 - confident 2Th 3:14 - obey

prepare: Act 28:23

for I trust: Rom 15:24, Php 1:25, Php 1:26, Php 2:24, Heb 13:23, 2Jn 1:12, 3Jn 1:14

through: Rom 15:30-32, 2Co 1:11, Php 1:19, Jas 5:16

Reciprocal: Rom 1:10 - request Eph 6:19 - for Col 4:3 - praying 1Th 3:10 - praying 1Th 5:25 - General 1Ti 3:14 - hoping Heb 13:19 - that I

Epaphras: Col 1:7, Col 4:12

my fellowprisoner: Rom 16:7, Col 4:10

Reciprocal: 1Co 16:20 - the brethren 2Co 13:13 - General Php 4:21 - The

Marcus: Act 12:12, Act 12:25, Act 13:13, Act 15:37-39, Col 4:10, 2Ti 4:11

Aristarchus: Act 19:29, Act 27:2

Demas: Col 4:14, 2Ti 4:10

Lucas: 2Ti 4:11

my fellowlabourers: Phm 1:1, Phm 1:2, 2Co 8:23, Php 2:25, Php 4:3, 3Jn 1:8

Reciprocal: Act 20:4 - Aristarchus 1Co 16:20 - the brethren 2Co 13:13 - General Php 4:21 - The Col 4:11 - fellowworkers

grace: Rom 16:20, Rom 16:24

your spirit: 2Ti 4:22

Reciprocal: Rom 1:7 - and the Lord Gal 6:18 - the grace 2Th 3:16 - The Lord be