rwp - Philemon:1

rwp@Philemon:1:2 @{To Apphia our sister} (\Apphii ti adelphi\). Dative case in address. A common name in Phrygian inscriptions and apparently the wife of Philemon. "Sister" is in the Christian sense. {To Archippus} (\Archippi\). Dative case in address. It is uncertain whether he is the son of Philemon or not. Apparently he is prominent in the church in Colossae, possibly even pastor, probably not in Laodicea as some understand strkjv@Colossians:4:17| to imply. {Fellow-soldier} (\sunstratiti\). Old word, only here and strkjv@Phillipians:2:25| in N.T. In metaphorical sense. Perhaps while Paul was in Ephesus. {To the church in thy house} (\ti kat' oikon sou ekklsii\). The church that met in the house of Philemon. In large cities there would be several meeting-places. Before the third century there is no certain evidence of special church buildings for worship (White, _Exp. Grk. T._). See strkjv@Acts:12:12| for Mary's house in Jerusalem, strkjv@1Corinthians:16:19| for the house of Aquila and Prisca in Ephesus, strkjv@Romans:16:5| for the house of Prisca and Aquila in Rome, strkjv@Colossians:4:15| for the house of Nympha in Laodicea.

rwp@Philemon:1:4 @{Always} (\pantote\). Goes with \eucharist\ though so far away in the Greek sentence. {Making mention of thee} (\mneian sou poioumenos\). See strkjv@1Thessalonians:1:2| for this phrase. {In} (\epi\). Upon the occasion of.

rwp@Philemon:1:5 @{Hearing} (\akoun\). Through Epaphras (Colossians:1:7,8; strkjv@4:12|), possibly from Onesimus also. {And towards all the saints} (\kai eis pantas tous hagious\). He spoke of "thy love and faith" (\sou tn agapn kai tn pistin\) "towards the Lord Jesus" (\pros ton Kurion Isoun\) and by a sort of momentum (Vincent) he carries both words over to the saints, though it can be explained as chiasm (Galatians:4:4|) also.

rwp@Philemon:1:6 @{That} (\hops\). Rather than the more common final particle \hina\. Connected with \mneian poioumenos\. {The fellowship of thy faith} (\h koinnia ts pistes sou\). Partnership like strkjv@Phillipians:1:5| in (objective genitive, \pistes\). {Effectual} (\energs\). Common adjective, like \energos\ (at work), in N.T. only here, strkjv@1Corinthians:16:9; strkjv@Hebrews:4:12|. Papyri use \energos\ of a mill in working order, of ploughed land, etc. {In you} (\en humin\). Some MSS. have \en hmin\ (in us), itacism and common.

rwp@Philemon:1:7 @{I had} (\eschon\). Ingressive second aorist active indicative of \ech\, not \eichomn\ as the Textus Receptus has it. Paul refers to his joy when he first heard the good news about Philemon's activity (verse 5|). {The hearts} (\ta splagchna\). See strkjv@Phillipians:1:8| for this use of this word for the nobler viscera (heart, lungs, liver) and here for the emotional nature. {Have been refreshed} (\anapepautai\). Perfect passive indicative of old compound verb \anapau\ as in strkjv@Matthew:11:28|, a relief and refreshment whether temporary (Mark:6:31|) or eternal (Revelation:14:13|).

rwp@Philemon:1:8 @{Though I have} (\echn\). Concessive participle (present active). {That which is befitting} (\to ankon\). Neuter singular accusative of the articular participle (present active) of \ank\, to come up to requirements and so to be befitting. For idea in \ank\, see strkjv@Colossians:3:18; strkjv@Ephesians:5:4|. This idiom is in later writers. {I rather beseech} (\mllon parakal\). Rather than command (\epitass\) which he has a perfect right to do.

rwp@Philemon:1:9 @{Paul the aged} (\Paulos presbuts\). Paul is called \neanias\ (a young man) at the stoning of Stephen (Acts:7:58|). He was perhaps a bit under sixty now. Hippocrates calls a man \presbuts\ from 49 to 56 and \gern\ after that. The papyri use \presbuts\ for old man as in strkjv@Luke:1:18| of Zacharias and in strkjv@Titus:2:2|. But in strkjv@Ephesians:6:20| Paul says \presbeu en halusei\ (I am an ambassador in a chain). Hence Lightfoot holds that here \presbuts\ = \presbeuts\ because of common confusion by the scribes between \u\ and \eu\. In the LXX four times the two words are used interchangeably. There is some confusion also in the papyri and the inscriptions. Undoubtedly ambassador (\presbeuts\) is possible here as in strkjv@Ephesians:6:20| (\presbeu\) though there is no real reason why Paul should not term himself properly "Paul the aged."

rwp@Philemon:1:10 @{For my child} (\peri tou emou teknou\). Tender and affectionate reference to Onesimus as his spiritual child. {Whom I have begotten in my bonds} (\hon egennsa en tois desmois\). First aorist active indicative of \genna\, to beget. See strkjv@1Corinthians:4:15| for this figurative sense. Paul is evidently proud of winning Onesimus to Christ though a prisoner himself.

rwp@Philemon:1:11 @{Onesimus} (\Onsimon\). A common name among slaves and made like Chresimus, Chrestus. The word is from \onsis\ (profit) and that from \oninmi\, to profit, to help. {Who was aforetime unprofitable to thee} (\ton pote soi achrston\). "The once to thee useless one." Play (pun) on the meaning of the name Onesimus (\onsimos\, useful) as once "useless" (\achrstos\, verbal adjective, \a\ privative and \chraomai\, to use). {But now is profitable to thee and to me} (\nuni de soi kai emoi euchrston\). "But now to thee and to me useful." Still further play on the name Onesimus by \euchrston\ (verbal adjective from \eu\ and \chraomai\, to use). Ethical dative here (\soi, emoi\).

rwp@Philemon:1:12 @{I have sent back} (\anepempsa\). Epistolary aorist. As it will look when Onesimus arrives. {In his own person} (\auton\). "Himself," intensive pronoun with \hon\ (whom). {My very heart} (\ta ema splagchna\). As in verse 7|. He almost loves Onesimus as his own son.

rwp@Philemon:1:13 @{I would fain have kept} (\eboulomn katechein\). Imperfect middle and present infinitive, "I was wishing to hold back." Again from the standpoint of the arrival of Onesimus. {In thy behalf} (\huper sou\). Songs:"in thy stead," "in place of thee." {He might minister} (\diakoni\). Present active subjunctive (retained after \eboulomn\) with \hina\, purpose continued, "that he might keep on ministering."

rwp@Philemon:1:14 @{Without thy mind} (\chris ts ss gnms\). Judgment, purpose (1Corinthians:1:10; strkjv@7:25|). Ablative case with \chris\ (apart from). {I would do nothing} (\ouden thelsa poisai\). First aorist active indicative of \thel\, I decided, I wished, decision reached (cf. \eboulomn\ in verse 13|. {Thy goodness} (\to agathon sou\). Neuter articular adjective (thy good deed). {As of necessity} (\hs kata anagkn\). "As if according to compulsion." See strkjv@2Corinthians:9:7|. {But of free will} (\alla kata hekousion\). According to what is voluntary (Numbers:15:3|). Perhaps \tropon\ (way, manner) is to be understood with the adjective \hekousios\ (old word, here alone in N.T.), from \hekn\ (1Corinthians:9:17; strkjv@Romans:8:20|).

rwp@Philemon:1:15 @{Perhaps} (\tacha\). Old adverb, in N.T. only here and strkjv@Romans:5:7|. {That thou shouldst have him} (\hina auton apechis\). Final clause with \hina\ and present active subjunctive of \apech\, to have back, "that thou might keep on having him back." {For ever} (\ainion\). "Eternal," here and hereafter. Surely a noble thing for Paul to say and a word that would touch the best in Philemon.

rwp@Philemon:1:16 @{No longer as a servant} (\ouketi hs doulon\). "No longer as a slave." Songs:it has to be here. Songs:it should be always. Paul sends Onesimus, the converted runaway slave, back to his legal master, but shows that he expects Philemon the Christian to treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ, not as a slave. {But more than a servant} (\all' huper doulon\). "But beyond a slave." {A brother beloved} (\adelphon agapton\). A brother in Christ. {How much rather to thee} (\posi de mllon soi\). "By how much more to thee," because of Philemon's legal ownership of this now Christian slave. "In the flesh Philemon had the brother for a slave; in the Lord he had the slave for a brother" (Meyer).

rwp@Philemon:1:17 @{If then thou countest me a partner} (\ei oun me echeis koinnon\). As I assume that you do, condition of the first class. {Receive him as myself} (\proslabou auton hs eme\). "Take him to thyself (indirect second aorist middle of \proslamban\ as in strkjv@Acts:18:26|) as myself." Surpassing delicacy and consummate tact. These words sound the death-knell of human slavery wherever the spirit of Christ is allowed to have its way. It has been a long and hard fight to break the shackles of human bondage even in Christian countries and there are still millions of slaves in pagan and Mohammedan lands. Paul wrote these words with wisdom and courage and sincerity.

rwp@Philemon:1:18 @{But if he hath wronged thee at all} (\ei de ti dikse se\). Condition of the first class, assumed to be true. Onesimus did wrong (\dikse\, first aorist active indicative of \adiko\, to wrong, without justice). He had probably robbed Philemon before he ran away. {Or oweth} (\ opheilei\). Delicate way of putting the stealing. {Put that to mine account} (\touto emoi ellog\). Present active imperative of \elloga\. In the _Koin_ verbs in \-e\ often appear in \-a\ like \elee, elea\. Songs:with \elloge\ as \elloga\, late verb in inscriptions and papyri (Deissmann, _Light, etc._, p. 84), though in N.T. only here and strkjv@Romans:5:13|. It means to set to one's account.

rwp@Philemon:1:19 @{Write} (\egrapsa\). Epistolary aorist. {With mine hand} (\ti emi cheiri\). Instrumental case and a note of hand that can be collected. See strkjv@2Thessalonians:3:17; strkjv@1Corinthians:16:21; strkjv@Colossians:4:18|. {I will repay it} (\eg apotis\). Future active indicative of \apotin\ (\apoti\) to pay back, to pay off. The more usual word was \apods\. This is Paul's promissory note. Deissmann (_Light, etc._, p. 331) notes how many of the papyri are concerning debts. {That I say not} (\hina m leg\). Neat idiom as in strkjv@2Corinthians:9:4|, delicately reminding Philemon that Paul had led him also to Christ. {Thou owest to me even thine own self besides} (\kai seauton moi prosopheileis\). Old verb, only here in N.T., Paul using the verb \opheil\ of verse 18| with \pros\ added. He used every available argument to bring Philemon to see the higher ground of brotherhood in Christ about Onesimus.

rwp@Philemon:1:20 @{Let me have joy of thee} (\eg sou onaimn\). Second aorist middle optative of \oninmi\, old verb, only here in N.T. Optative the regular construction for a wish about the future. "May I get profit from thee in the Lord." {Refresh my heart in Christ} (\anapauson mou ta splagchna en Christi\). See verse 7| for \anapauson\ (first aorist active imperative of \anapau\) and \splagchna\ (3 times in this letter, 7,12,20|).

rwp@Philemon:1:21 @{Obedience} (\hupakoi\). "Compliance" seems less harsh to us in the light of 9|. {I write} (\egrapsa\). Epistolary aorist again. {Even beyond what I say} (\kai huper ha leg\). That can only mean that Paul "knows" (\eids\, second perfect active participle of \oida\) that Philemon will set Onesimus free. He prefers that it come as Philemon's idea and wish rather than as a command from Paul. Paul has been criticized for not denouncing slavery in plain terms. But, when one considers the actual conditions in the Roman empire, he is a wise man who can suggest a better plan than the one pursued here for the ultimate overthrow of slavery.

rwp@Philemon:1:22 @{But withal} (\hama de\). Along with your kindly reception of Onesimus. On \hama\, see strkjv@Acts:24:26; strkjv@27:40|. {A lodging} (\xenian\). Old word from \xenos\, stranger. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Acts:28:23|. {I shall be granted unto you} (\charisthsomai humin\). First future passive of \charizomai\. Used either as a favour as here and strkjv@Acts:3:14| or for destruction (Acts:25:11|).

rwp@Philemon:1:23 @{Epaphras} (\Epaphrs\). The Colossian preacher who apparently started the work in Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea, and who had come to Rome to enlist Paul's help in the fight against incipient Gnosticism in the Lycus Valley. {My fellow-prisoner} (\ho sunaichmaltos mou\). See on ¯Romans:16:7| for this word, also in strkjv@Colossians:4:10|. Used metaphorically like the verb \aichmaltiz\ in strkjv@2Corinthians:10:5|, though some hold that Epaphras became a prisoner with Paul in Rome.

rwp@Philemon:1:24 @The other "co-workers" (\sunergoi\) here (Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke) are all named in detail in strkjv@Colossians:4:10-14| with kindly words.

rwp@Philemon:1:25 @{Grace} (\h charis\). This great word occurred in the greeting (verse 3|) as it does in the farewell.