Matthew Poole and continuators on Philemon 1

1 PAul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ , and Timothy our brother , unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer .

That is, for the sake of Christ, for the Gospel, and for preaching of Jesus Christ;

from whence it is evident that Timothy was come to Paul at Rome, according to his desire, 2 Tim. 4.9, 22. before this Epistle was wrote, which manifesteth that Second Epistle not to have been the last he wrote; the Apostle useth to join some others with himself in his Salutation, So[illegible: 1 letter]thenes 1 Cor. 1. 1 Timothy 2 Cor. 1.1. Phil. 1.1. Col. 1.1. 1 Thess. 1.1. (where Sylvanus also is added) from whence it appeareth that Timothy was Pauls ordinary Companion, and the Apostle sheweth his Humility in joining the name of so young a man with his own;

whence we gather that Philemon was not a Christian only, but a Minister, probably one of the Ministers in Coloss in Phrygia, for it appeareth Col. 4.9. that Onesimus his Servant was a Colossian.

Marginal references: Eph. 4.1. 2 Tim. 1.8.

2 And to our beloved Apphia , and Archippus , our fellow-souldier , and to the church in thy house .

Apphia was the Roman Name of a Woman, the naming of her before Archippus (a Minister) makes it probable she was Philemons Wife.

It appears this Archippus was a Minister from Colos. 4.17.

He calleth him his fellow-Souldier, because he was ingaged in some of those many dangers Paul incountred, but we are not told in Scripture which.

All those Christians that live in thy Family, we have the like expression, Rom. 16.5. 1 Cor. 16.19. Col. 4.15. the Apostle doth not alwaies by the term Church signifie a body under Ecclesiastical Discipline, but sometimes calleth a Company of Christians ordinarily conversing together by that Name: Those who think the body of the Church were wont constantly to meet in Philemon's House, seem not to consider how the dangers of those times made such a thing hardly practicable.

Marginal references: Phil. 2.25.

3 Grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ .

The common salutation, vid. the notes on Rom. 1.7. 1 Cor. 1.3. 2 Cor. 1.2, &c.

4 I thank my God, making mention of thee alwaies in my prayers .

See the Annotat. on 2 Tim. 1.3.

Marginal references: 1 Thess. 1, 2. 2 Thess. 1.3.

5 Hearing of thy love and faith , which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus , and toward all saints .

Thy love to God and to the Saints, ver. 7. the Apostle putteth Love here before Faith, contrary to the true order of those spiritual habits, for Love must be the Fruit of Faith which worketh by love, and to his own order in other places, 1 Tim. 2 7. 2 Tim. 1.13. possibly to shew us that he spake of that Love, which is conjoyned with Faith, and of that Faith, which sheweth its truth by Love.

Faith in Christ.

That Faith which thou hast in Christ, reposing thy confidence in him for Salvation, and that love which worketh in thee towards Christ.

And is seen in thy readiness to do good to all Christians, such especially as are Saints indeed, because thy goodness extendeth not to God, thou shewest it to the Saints that are in the Earth, and to the excellent like David, Psal. 16.3.

Marginal references: Eph. 1.15. [illegible: 1 word] 1.4.

6 That the communication of thy faith , may become effectuall , by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus .

The word sometimes signifieth communion, in all which there is a mutual communication betwixt those with whom the communion is. That thou mayest declare that thou hast the same common Faith with us, thou communicatest the fruits of it.

And shewest that it is not a dead inoperative Faith, but the true Faith of Gods Elect, Titus 1.1. working by Love, Gal. 5.6. and shewing it self by good works, Iam. 2.18.

That every good thing, every good habit of Grace which Jesus Christ hath wrought in thy Soul might be acknowledged by others (the Servants of Christ) to whom thou declarest thy Love and Goodness.

7 For we have great joy, and consolation in thy love , because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother .

Thy Love doth not extend only to the poor distressed Saints helped, and releived by thee, but it hath its effect upon others together with my self, it is a wonderful joy, and comfort to us to hear, that God hath so opened, and enlarged thy heart, the fruit of Grace in one, are a true cause of joy, and thanksgiving to all Christians, because God by them is glorified.

The Saints, or the bowels of the Saints, [non-Latin text not transcribed], are brought to a rest, as travellers after their journey, or labourers after their dayes labour, when they come to sit still.

8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ , to injoyn thee , that which is convenient .

In the Greek it is wherefore having much [non-Latin text not transcribed], boldness, liberty or freedom of speech, or much power and authority or right as Heb. 10.19. for Christs sake, being Christs Apostle, or speaking for the sake of Christ.

To command thee, authoritatively.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], things that are expedient, or convenient fit for thee to do. My office authorizeth me in such cases.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter] Thess. 2.6.

9 Yet for loves sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged , and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ .

Writing to thee in a cause of Love, where so good, and charitable a man may have an opportunity to express his charity. Or rather, out of my Love and Kindness to thee, perswading me that I need not use my Apostolical authority to such a brother, and friend I beseech thee

being such a one as Paul now much in years, and not like to trouble thee long with any request. Or Paul the Elder by office, one who is thy brother in the Ministry.

And now a Prisoner for Christs sake, and so cannot personally speak to thee, and I know such is thy piety, that my being a sufferer for the sake of Christ, will not render my petition to thee less acceptable or to be regarded less.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus , whom I have begotten in my bonds .

Onesimus lately thy servant (the same mentioned Col. 4.9.) but my Son.

Not naturally, but spiritually, to whom I have been a spiritual Father, and begotten him to Christ in my old age, and while I have been here suffering as a Prisoner.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 4.15. Gal. 4.19.

11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable e: but now profitable to thee and me .

But now [non-Latin text not transcribed], profitable, one that may be profitable to thee having learned Christ, and to me, who have used him in my service, and whose conversion will add to my crown.

[non-Latin text not transcribed], he useth a soft word, for it appears ver. 18. he had wronged him; taking away some of his Goods, and running away with them, without Philemon's knowledge, which made him doubly criminal.

12 Whom I have sent again : thou therefore receive him , that is my own bowels .

He comes not of his own head, but upon my perswasion, and upon my errand

I therefore beseech thee, to receive him kindly, and entertain him in thy house.

Whom I love, as I love my own Soul, thou canst not therefore be unkind to him, but it will reflect upon me.

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead, he might have ministred unto me in the bonds of the gospel .

I have such an opinion of his sincerity, that I would willingly have kept him with me that he might while I am a Prisoner for the Gospel of Christ, have done those offices for me, which thou wouldst have done, hadst thou been here.

14 But without thy mind I would do nothing , that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity but willingly k.

But he was thy servant, and I would not do it without thy knowledge, and consent, that it might not be thought that thou hadst done me a kindness necessarily, but that thou mightest do it freely, which seems to argue that St. Paul expected, that he being reconciled to Onesimus should send him back to Paul: unless he means the benefit done to Onesimus, in not revenging the wrong he had done him should not be of Necessity because he was out of his reach, but freely having him first in his power:

Marginal references: 2 Cor. 9.7.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever .

Onesimus in departing designed no such thing, but possibly God in the wisdom of his Providence suffered him to depart from thee, and to fall into theft, that he might upon that occasion come to a quicker sense, and conviction of sin, and see a need of a Saviour and being turned from sin unto God, and imbraced Christ our common Saviour, thou mightest receive, love, and imbrace him [non-Latin text not transcribed], for ever, this ever, in this life, that is, so long as you both should live.

16 Not now as a servant , but above a servant , a brother beloved , specially to me , but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord .

Not now meerly as a Servant.

But as one that deserveth much more kindness then a Servant.

Being a Christian deservedly to be loved.

Especially of me who have a spiritual relation to him, as the instrument of his conversion, and as he hath been useful in ministring to me in Prison.

But how much more to thee to whom he stands not onely in the relation of a Brother, being converted to the Christian Faith, but in the Flesh, as thy Kinsman, or thy Servant, or one of thy Family, or thy Countrey man, one of the same Town and Place.

17 If thou count me therefore a partner , receive him as my self .

[non-Latin text not transcribed], one with whom thou hast communion, a partner in the same Grace of the Gospel, and in the same trials and afflictions of the Gospel.

Do not only forgive him, but kindly entertain him, who is my friend, as thou wouldst do my self.

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, , put that on my account .

If he hath any way been unfaithful, if he hath taken any thing from thee, or be in thy debt.

Charge that upon me, let me be accountable to thee for it.

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it , albeit I do not say unto thee, how thou owest unto me even thy own self besides .

Thou hast it here under my hand, I take upon me to satisfie thee Onesimus his debt, yet

I could tell thee, that thou owest me more then it can be, even thy own self, God having made use of me as an instrument to convert, and turn thee unto God. Such persons are great debtors to their spiritual Fathers, Rom. 15.27.

20 Yea, brother , let me have joy of thee in the Lord : refresh my bowels in the Lord .

The particle [non-Latin text not transcribed] is used in swearing, affirming, perswading, intreating, the latter seemeth here most proper, as much as of all love, brother.

It will rejoice my heart, to see thee charitable and obedient to my Monitions, let me have a spiritual joy from thy satisfaction of me in what I desire.

Either Onesimus whom ver. 12. he had called his bowells. Or my inward man.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience , I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more then I say .

I have not written this without a confidence that thou in this thing wilt do what I desire of thee.

But I write it out of my affection to poor Onesimus, and desire to help him not doubting of thy readiness to do the thing.

Marginal references: 2 Cor. 7.16.

22 But withall, prepare me also a lodging, For I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you .

This would incline one to think that this Epistle was written, before the second Epistle to Timothy, for there chap. 4.6, 7, 8. he seems to have other apprehensions: yet it is plain Timothy was with Paul, when he wrote this, which he was not when that second Epistle was written, as appears from chap. 4.9, 21. Here upon a confidence that through the help of the Churches Prayers, he should again come to them, he writeth to Philemon to prepare him a lodging.

Marginal references: Phil. 1.25. and 2.24.; 2 Cor. 1.11.

23 There salute thee Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus .

We read of this Epaphras, Col. 1.7. where he is called Pauls fellow Servant, and a faithful Minister of Christ, he was with Paul at Rome, Col. 4.12. but there is no mention of him as a Prisoner, but now he was a fellow Prisoner with Paul, either in the same place, or upon the same account.

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas my fellow labourers .

All Ministers of the Gospel, they are also named, Colos. 4.10.14. they were all at this time at Rome with Paul, see Acts 12.12.25. and 15.37, 39. and 19.29. and 20.4. and 27.2. 2 Tim. 4.10.

Marginal references: Col. 4.14.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen .

See the Notes on Gal. 6.18. see also Rom. 16.24. 1 Cor. 16.23. Phil. 4.23. 2 Thess. 3.18. with your spirit is the same as with you. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, he means the spirit of Christ in all its gracious emanations, we have his meaning fully, 2 Cor. 13.14. The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, and the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen, is a particle of Praying and affirming, by which he declareth his earnest desire it might be so, and also his Faith that it should be so. Nor doth he pray for Philemon alone, (though the Epistle chiefly concerned him) but for all those who at Colosse had with him obtained like precious Faith.