Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Philemon 1:10 - 1:10
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
10. παρακαλῶ σε. The appeal is enhanced by the repetition of the verb.
περὶ τοῦ ἐμοῦ τέκνου, “about my own child.” Stronger than τοῦ τέκνου μου, cf. Phm 1:12; Phm 1:19, Col 4:18, and esp. 3Jn 1:4. So St Paul calls Timothy his τέκνον (1Co 4:17; Php 2:22; 1Ti 1:2 al.), and also Titus (Tit 1:4).
ἐγέννησα. So in 1Co 4:14-15. But in Gal 4:19 he speaks as though he were the mother, in 1Th 2:7 as though the nurse, of his converts. For his metaphor here cf. Talm. Bab. Sanhedrin 19b “R. Samuel son of Nachmani reported that B. Jonathan said, Everyone that teacheth his neighbour’s son Torah, the Scripture reckons it to him as though he begat him, for it is said, Now these are the generations of Aaron and Moses (Num 3:1), and it is written, Now these are the names of the sons of Aaron (Num 3:2), meaning that Aaron begat them and Moses taught them; therefore they were called by his name.”
ἐν τοῖς δεσμοῖς. Probably suggesting that he was the more dear to him as born to him at such a time. Observe that “for the third time Philemon is made to hear the clanking of the prisoner’s chain” (Beet).
Ὀνήσιμον, Col 4:9†. At last he brings out the name which he knew would not recall to Philemon pleasant associations. On the importance attributed to names by the ancients see Lightfoot. St Paul plays upon the name in Phm 1:11; Phm 1:20.