Philemon Chapter 1

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, &c.] Not made a prisoner by Christ, though he was apprehended, laid hold on, and detained by Christ as a prisoner of hope, at his conversion; but this is not intended here: but he was a prisoner at Rome for the sake of Christ, on account of professing him, and preaching in his name; his bonds were for the sake of the Gospel of Christ; and therefore they are in this epistle called the bonds of the Gospel. He was not a prisoner for any capital crime, and therefore had no reason to be ashamed of his chain, nor was he; but rather gloried in it, as his taking this title and character…”

“ADDRESS. THANKSGIVING FOR PHILEMON'S LOVE AND FAITH. INTERCESSION FOR ONESIMUS. CONCLUDING REQUEST AND SALUTATIONS. (Phm. 1:1-25) prisoner of Jesus Christ--one whom Christ's cause has made a prisoner (compare "in the bonds of the Gospel," (Plm 1:13). He does not call himself, as in other Epistles, "Paul an apostle," as he is writing familiarly, not authoritatively. our . . . fellow labourer--in building up the Church at Colosse, while we were at Ephesus. See my Introduction to Colossians.”

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ - A prisoner at Rome in the cause of Jesus Christ; Ephesians 3:1 note; 2 Timothy 1:8 note. And Timothy our brother - Timothy, it seems, had come to him agreeably to his request; 2 Timothy 4:9. Paul not unfrequently joins his name with his own in his epistles; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1. As Timothy was of that region of country, and as he had accompanied Paul in his travels, he was doubtless acquainted with Philemon. Unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer - See Introduction, Section 1. The word rendered…”

“This single epistle infinitely transcends all the wisdom of the world. And it gives us a specimen how Christians ought to treat of secular affairs from higher principles. Paul a prisoner of Christ - To whom, as such, Philemon could deny nothing. And Timotheus - This was written before the second epistle to Timothy, Plm 1:22. Philemon 1:2”

“1:1-3 Paul usually begins with a short introduction followed by greetings and the invocation of grace and peace. 1:1 Paul, a prisoner: It is traditionally thought that Paul was writing from prison in Rome, but it is also possible that he was writing earlier from Ephesus, much closer to Philemon’s home in Colosse (see Philemon Book Introduction, “Date and Place of Writing”). • Timothy was one of Paul’s closest co-workers (see “Timothy” Profile). • co-worker: Philemon was active in ministry for Christ.”

“ad 64, am 4068 a prisoner: Plm 1:9; Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Eph 6:20; Ti2 1:8 Timothy: Co2 1:1; Col 1:1; Th2 1:1 Philemon: Th e 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…”