Philemon 1:17
Verse
Context
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.17So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
Sermons
Charles Leiter
St. John ChrysostomSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If thou count me therefore a partner - If thou dost consider me as a friend; if I have still the place of a friend in thy affection, receive him as myself; for, as I feel him as my own soul, in receiving him thou receivest me. There is a fine model of recommending a friend to the attention of a great man in the epistle of Horace to Claudius Nero, in behalf of his friend Septimius, Epistolar. lib. i., Ep. 9, which contains several strokes not unlike some of those in the Epistle to Philemon. It is written with much art; but is greatly exceeded by that of St. Paul. As it is very short I shall insert it: - Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus, Quanti me facias; nam cum rogat, et prece cogit Scilicet, ut tibi se laudare, et tradere coner, Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis, Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici; Quid possim videt, ac novit me valdius ipso. Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem: Sed timui, mea ne finxisse minora putarer, Dissimulator opis propriae, mihi commodus uni. Sic ego, majoris fugiens opprobria culpae, Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quod si Depositum laudas, ob amici jussa, pudorem; Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonumque. "O Claudius Septimius alone knows what value thou hast for me; for he asks and earnestly entreats me to recommend him to thee, as a man worthy of the service and confidence of Nero, who is so correct a judge of merit. When he imagines that I possess the honor of being one of thy most intimate friends, he sees and knows me more particularly than I do myself. I said indeed many things to induce him to excuse me; but I feared lest I should be thought to dissemble my interest with thee, that I might reserve it all for my own advantage. Therefore, in order to shun the reproach of a greater fault, I have assumed all the consequence of a courtier, and have, at the request of my friend, laid aside becoming modesty; which if thou canst pardon, receive this man into the list of thy domestics, and believe him to be a person of probity and worth." This is not only greatly outdone by St. Paul, but also by a letter of Pliny to his friend Sabinianus, in behalf of his servant, who, by some means, had incurred his master's displeasure. See it at the conclusion of these notes (Plm 1:25 (note)).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
a partner--in the Christian fellowship of faith, hope, and love. receive him as myself--resuming "receive him that is mine own bowels."
John Gill Bible Commentary
If thou count me therefore a partner,.... A companion and friend, who reckon each other's affairs and interest their own: the word answers to a word often used in Talmudic writings, for an associate of the doctors or wise men: here it may mean also a partner both in grace, and in the ministry; one that shared in the same gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and one that was to be a partaker of the inheritance with the saints in light: now if Philemon reckoned the apostle such an one, as he doubtless did, as being engaged in the same common cause, and a partaker of the same common faith, and interested in the same common salvation; then he entreats him on account of Onesimus, in the following manner, receive him as myself; intimating, that he was as dear to him as himself; that he loved him as his own soul; and that he should take whatever respect and affection were shown to him as done to himself; and that he would have him receive him into his house, his heart and affections, as he would receive him the apostle himself, should he come to him.
Philemon 1:17
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.17So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Justification - Part 1
By Charles Leiter1.4K41:35MAT 3:13ROM 3:25ROM 5:8ROM 6:23ROM 8:1TIT 3:4PHM 1:17In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of God justifying the ungodly. He emphasizes that sin is defiling and exceedingly sinful, using examples like Augustine's conversion and his own childhood experience of destructive behavior. The preacher criticizes the current justice system, stating that the satisfaction of justice and the good of society are being disregarded. He then highlights the central focus of Jesus' life and death, explaining that he came to pay for sin and demonstrate God's righteousness. The preacher concludes by referencing Romans 3:24-25, explaining that God's justification of believers is a demonstration of his justice and grace.
Philemon I. 17-19
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 58:10MAT 5:7ROM 6:2PHM 1:17JAS 2:13John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, using the letter of Paul to Philemon as a powerful example. He emphasizes the need to extend grace and mercy to others, just as God does to us, highlighting the transformative power of forgiveness in relationships. Chrysostom delves into the concept of God's goodness in both punishing and calling us to account, showing how it ultimately leads to our spiritual growth and preservation. He concludes with a reflection on the mercy of God and the importance of showing mercy to others as a reflection of our faith and gratitude for God's grace.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
If thou count me therefore a partner - If thou dost consider me as a friend; if I have still the place of a friend in thy affection, receive him as myself; for, as I feel him as my own soul, in receiving him thou receivest me. There is a fine model of recommending a friend to the attention of a great man in the epistle of Horace to Claudius Nero, in behalf of his friend Septimius, Epistolar. lib. i., Ep. 9, which contains several strokes not unlike some of those in the Epistle to Philemon. It is written with much art; but is greatly exceeded by that of St. Paul. As it is very short I shall insert it: - Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus, Quanti me facias; nam cum rogat, et prece cogit Scilicet, ut tibi se laudare, et tradere coner, Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis, Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici; Quid possim videt, ac novit me valdius ipso. Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem: Sed timui, mea ne finxisse minora putarer, Dissimulator opis propriae, mihi commodus uni. Sic ego, majoris fugiens opprobria culpae, Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quod si Depositum laudas, ob amici jussa, pudorem; Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonumque. "O Claudius Septimius alone knows what value thou hast for me; for he asks and earnestly entreats me to recommend him to thee, as a man worthy of the service and confidence of Nero, who is so correct a judge of merit. When he imagines that I possess the honor of being one of thy most intimate friends, he sees and knows me more particularly than I do myself. I said indeed many things to induce him to excuse me; but I feared lest I should be thought to dissemble my interest with thee, that I might reserve it all for my own advantage. Therefore, in order to shun the reproach of a greater fault, I have assumed all the consequence of a courtier, and have, at the request of my friend, laid aside becoming modesty; which if thou canst pardon, receive this man into the list of thy domestics, and believe him to be a person of probity and worth." This is not only greatly outdone by St. Paul, but also by a letter of Pliny to his friend Sabinianus, in behalf of his servant, who, by some means, had incurred his master's displeasure. See it at the conclusion of these notes (Plm 1:25 (note)).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
a partner--in the Christian fellowship of faith, hope, and love. receive him as myself--resuming "receive him that is mine own bowels."
John Gill Bible Commentary
If thou count me therefore a partner,.... A companion and friend, who reckon each other's affairs and interest their own: the word answers to a word often used in Talmudic writings, for an associate of the doctors or wise men: here it may mean also a partner both in grace, and in the ministry; one that shared in the same gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and one that was to be a partaker of the inheritance with the saints in light: now if Philemon reckoned the apostle such an one, as he doubtless did, as being engaged in the same common cause, and a partaker of the same common faith, and interested in the same common salvation; then he entreats him on account of Onesimus, in the following manner, receive him as myself; intimating, that he was as dear to him as himself; that he loved him as his own soul; and that he should take whatever respect and affection were shown to him as done to himself; and that he would have him receive him into his house, his heart and affections, as he would receive him the apostle himself, should he come to him.