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Phm_1:1. Δέσμιος Χρ . Ἰ .] i.e. whom Christ has placed in bonds. See on Eph_3:1. This self-designation (not ἀπόστολος , or the like) at the head of the letter is in keeping with its confidential tone and its purpose of moving and winning the heart, ὑπὲρ τοῦ τὴν χάριν ἑτοιμότερον λαβεῖν , Chrysostom.
κ . Τιμόθ .] See on Php_1:1; Col_1:1.
συνεργῷ ] The particular historic relations, on which this predicate is based, are unknown to us; yet comp. Phm_1:2 : τῇ κατʼ οἶκόν σου ἐκκλησ .; perhaps he was an elder of the church.
ἡμῶν ] namely, of Paul and Timothy. It belongs to ἀγαπ . and συνεργῷ . Although, we may add, the Epistle is, as to its design and contents, a private letter, yet the associating of Timothy with it, and especially the addressing it to more than one (Phm_1:2), are suitably calculated with a view to the greater certainly of a successful result (comp. already Chrysostom). Hofmann incorrectly holds that in the directing of the letter also to the relatives and to the church in the house the design was, that they should, by the communication of the letter to them, become aware of what had induced Philemon to do that which was asked of him. This they would in fact have learned otherwise from Philemon, and would have believed his account of the matter.