philemon-1:16-nkjv,nlt

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

We have here, I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Phlm. on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, Phlm. 1:8-21. The 1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the illative wherefore: ?Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:8-17

1:8-17 I could well be bold in Christ to give you orders as to where your duty lies, but for love's sake I would rather put it in the form of a request, I, Paul, such as I am, an old man now, a prisoner of Christ. My request to you is for my child, whom I begat in my bonds--I mean Onesimus, who was once useless to you, but who is now useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, and that is the same as to send you a bit of my own heart. I could have wished to keep him beside myself,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant ,.... That is, not only as a servant, for a servant he was, and was to be received as such; his call by grace had not dissolved the civil relation that was between him and his master, though it had added to it something that was above it, and greater than it: but above a servant ; in a higher condition, as the Arabic version renders it, than a servant; not barely considered in that relation, but as being in one much preferable to it: a brother beloved, specially... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant? - Do not receive him merely as thy slave, nor treat him according to that condition; but as a brother - as a genuine Christian, and particularly dear to me. Both in the flesh and in the Lord? - There is no reason to believe that Onesimus was of the kindred of Philemon; and we must take the term flesh, here, as referring to the right which Philemon had in him. He was a part of his property and of his family; as a slave, this was his condition; but he now stood in a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:16

Verse 16 But above a servant, a beloved brother. He next brings forward another advantage of the flight, that Onesimus has not only been corrected by means of it, so as to become a useful slave, but that he has become the “brother” of his master. Especially to me. Lest the heart of Onesimus, wounded by the offense which was still fresh, should be reluctant to admit the brotherly appellation, Paul claims Onesimus first of all, as his own “brother.” Hence he infers that Philemon is much more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:12-16

The motives that prompted the apostle to send back Onesimus to his master. I. HE DID SEND HIM BACK . "Whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart." 1. Onesimus did not return of his own accord . He might, perhaps, have had some not unnatural misgivings as to the character of the reception he would meet with as a returned slave who had acted a dishonest part, and might have been ashamed besides to appear again in a community where his misdeeds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved. So great a difference had his Christian calling and profession made to him and to others. Both in the flesh and in the Lord. A hysteron proteron . The apostle is pleading on behalf of Onesimus this new bond of Christian relationship, which was in the Lord , that it should bring about a renewed fullness of personal relation. In the flesh , because "in the Lord." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Christianity not permanently compatible with slavery as an institution. I. IT FOLLOWS FROM THE CONSIDERATION OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD that, although it finds many slaves, yet it shall gradually raise them to a state of freedom. It frees their souls at once. They become "the Lord's freemen" ( 1 Corinthians 7:22 ), and the body cannot always remain bound when the soul is free. Thus, though it does not cut down the tree (of slavery), it severs the roots, and a state of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:16

The brotherhood of all Christians. Onesimus, before his conversion to the faith, was the servant of Philemon; and afterwards, though he did not cease to be his servant, yet he became something more, viz. his brother in Christ Jesus. We may learn from this— I. THAT THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THE DIFFERENCE OF RANKS AND CONDITIONS , NOR REGARD THEM AS UNLAWFUL . The Apostle Paul instructs masters how to behave towards servants, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant - The adverb rendered “not now” (οὐκέτι ouketi), means “no more, no further, no longer.” It implies that he had been before in this condition, but was not to be now; compare Matthew 19:6, “They are no more twain.” They were once so, but they are not to be regarded as such now; Matthew 22:46, “Neither durst any man, from that day forth ask him any more questions.” They once did it, but now they did not dare to do it; Luke 15:19, “And am no more worthy to be called thy... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philemon 1:8-25

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philemon 1:8-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philemon 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:12-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Philemon 1:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philemon 1:16

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