Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Philemon 1:8 - 1:16
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Phm_1:8-16
8Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Phm_1:8
NASB "to order you to do what is proper"
NKJV "to command you what is fitting"
NRSV "to command you to do your duty"
TEV "to order you to do what should be done"
NJB "telling you what your duty is"
This reflects Paul's apostolic authority. However, Paul preferred to use encouragement and tactfulness (Phm_1:9-10; Phm_1:17; Phm_1:20).
Phm_1:9
NASB, NKJV "Paul the aged"
NRSV "I, Paul, do this as an old man"
TEV "the ambassador"
NJB "I am, Paul, an old man"
This is not a Greek manuscript problem, for all Greek manuscripts have "the aged" (presbutçs). Scholars have pointed out that in Koine Greek the term "the aged" and "ambassador" (presbeutçs) may have been spelled the same or at least often confused (cf. MSS of LXX; 2Ch_32:31). The English translations TEV, RSV, and NEB have "ambassador," while NJB and NIV have "an old man."
Paul lists several reasons why Philemon should honor his request.
1. Paul's apostleship (Phm_1:8)
2. Paul's age (Phm_1:9)
3. Paul's imprisonment (Phm_1:9)
4. Paul's ministry in Onesimus' life (Phm_1:10)
5. Onesimus' possible ministry to Paul (Phm_1:11; Phm_1:13)
6. Paul's love for him (Phm_1:12)
7. Onesimus has been changed from a slave to a brother in Christ (Phm_1:15-16)
8. Philemon's attitude toward Paul (Phm_1:17)
9. Philemon's salvation at Paul's witness (Phm_1:19)
10. Philemon's ministry to Paul (Phm_1:20)
▣ "a prisoner of Christ Jesus" See note at Phm_1:1.
Phm_1:10 "my child" Rabbis use this phrase to describe their students, but in this context it refers to Onesimus' salvation through Paul's witness (cf. 1Co_4:14-15; 2Co_6:13; 2Co_12:14; Gal_4:19, 1Th_2:11; 1Ti_1:2; 2Ti_1:2; 2Ti_2:1; and Tit_1:4).
▣ "in my imprisonment" This is literally "in my bonds." It is uncertain how Onesimus met Paul in prison:
1. Onesimus was imprisoned with Paul
2. Onesimus had been sent on an errand to Paul in prison
3. he came to Paul because he knew that Philemon was a friend of his
Phm_1:10-11 "Onesimus" The name meant "useful" or "profitable" (cf. Phm_1:20). Paul uses this wordplay to appeal to Philemon. This converted slave was formerly useless (achrçstos), but is now "useful" (euchrçtos cf. 2Ti_4:11) to both Paul and Philemon.
F. F. Bruce's translation of this section in Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, is very helpful in seeing the word play:
"His name is Onesimus - profitable by name and profitable by nature. I know that in former days you found him quite unprofitable, but now, I assure you, he has learned to be true to his name - profitable to you, and profitable to me" (p. 393).
Phm_1:12 "I have sent him back to you" This phrase had a legal connotation of "referring his case to you." This also shows that believers must face the consequences of their actions even if they were committed before salvation. It also affirmed the legal rights of slave owners (cf. Phm_1:14; Phm_1:18).
▣ "that is, sending my very heart" This is such a strong statement! Paul felt deeply for his converts. This surely reveals the pastoral heart of Paul, as does his tender yet firm treatment of Philemon.
Phm_1:13 Paul was apparently a financially independent person. He often refused help from those he preached to because false teachers accused him of financial exploitation. Yet as the years went by he was able to receive help from some of the churches he ministered to. This help was in two specific ways.
1. the church of Philippi (cf. Php_1:5; Php_1:7; Php_4:15) and possibly the church of Thessalonica (cf. 2Co_11:9) sent him money to help with his expenses in prison
2. the church at Philippi sent a representative, Epaphroditus, to help Paul, (cf. Php_2:25)
In a similar sense Paul saw Onesimus as a gift from Philemon and the church at Colossae.
Phm_1:14 God looks at the heart, the motives, first (cf. 1Sa_16:7; 1Ki_8:39; 1Ch_28:9; Jer_17:10; Luk_16:15; Act_1:24). Paul wanted Philemon to be blessed for his generosity and love for Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 8-9), not just for his obedience to Paul's command (cf. Phm_1:8).
Phm_1:15 "For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while" This is a passive voice verb. This phrase can be understood in two ways: (1) in the sense of God's predestined plan (NASB marginal has the Scriptural parallel of Gen_45:5; Gen_45:8) or (2) that God used the inappropriate behavior of Onesimus as an opportunity for his salvation and for Philemon's service to Christ and friendship with Paul (cf. Phm_1:16).
Phm_1:16 "no longer as a slave. . .a beloved brother" Christianity did not attack slavery openly (cf. Eph_6:5-9), but destroyed it through its view of the dignity and worth of human beings (cf. Gal_3:28; Col_3:11). See Special Topic: Paul's Admonitions to Slaves at Eph_6:5.
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV "both in the flesh and in the Lord"
TEV "both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord"
NJB "both on the natural plane and in the Lord"
This phrase states that the benefit of Onesimus' return was on two planes, one natural (physical) and one supernatural (spiritual). Philemon would benefit as a man and a Christian.