Philemon 1:16

“Not now as a servant, &c.] 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 to me; a brother in Christ, and to be beloved on that account, as he was especially by the apostle, who had been the instrument of his conversion; (see <510409>Colossians 4:9). But how much more unto thee, both in…”

“No longer as a mere servant or slave (though still he is that), but above a servant, so that thou shalt derive from him not merely the services of a slave, but higher benefits: a servant "in the flesh," he is a brother "in the Lord." beloved, specially to me--who am his spiritual father, and who have experienced his faithful attentions. Lest Philemon should dislike Onesimus being called "brother," Paul first recognizes him as a brother, being the spiritual son of the same God. much more unto thee--to whom he stands in so much nearer and more lasting relation.”

“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 son,” though I once was; John 6:66, “And walked no more with him,” though they once did; see also John 11:54; John 14:19; John 17:11; Acts 8:39; Galatians 4:7; Ephesians 2:19. This passage then proves that…”

“In the flesh - As a dutiful servant. In the Lord - As a fellow - Christian. Philemon 1:17”

“1:16 Though Onesimus was still legally Philemon’s slave, Philemon must think of him as a beloved brother and be committed to his well-being. • both as a man and as a brother in the Lord: Brotherhood in Christ must now transform their whole relationship in both the natural and spiritual realms.”

“a brother: Mat 23:8; Act 9:17; Gal 4:28, Gal 4:29; Ti1 6:2; Heb 3:1; Pe1 1:22, Pe1 1:23; Jo1 5:1 both in: Eph 6:5-7; Col 3:22 Philemon 1:17”