Phile | TSK | e4.org | , Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.

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Philemon appears to have been a person of some consideration at Colosse, and in the church at that place (Phlm 1:1, Phlm 1:2, Col 4:9, Col 4:17) who had been converted by the ministry of St. Paul (Phlm 1:19), probably during his abode at Ephesus (Acts 19:10). Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, having, as it is generally thought, been guilty of some dishonesty, fled from his master, and came to Rome, where the apostle was at that time under confinement the first time, as appears by his expectation of being shortly released (Phlm 1:22), about ad 62. Having by some means attended the preaching of the apostle, “in his own hired house,” (Acts 28:16, Acts 28:23) it pleased God to bless it to his conversion. After he had given satisfactory evidence of a real change, and manifested an excellent and amiable disposition, which greatly endeared him to St. Paul, he was sent back to his master by the apostle, who wrote this epistle to reconcile Philemon to his once unfaithful servant.

‏ Philemon

Phlm 1:1, Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again.

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a prisoner Phlm 1:9; Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Eph 6:20; 2Tim 1:8

Timothy 2Cor 1:1; Col 1:1; 2Thess 1:1

Philemon Th e apostle in this epistle indulges in some fine paronomasais on the proper names. Thus Philemon, Φιλημον G5371, affectionate, or beloved, is "our dearly beloved;" Apphia (Απφια 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 G751, the ruler of the horse, for the managing of which heros were anciently famous), is "our fellow- soldier;" and Onesimus (Ονησιμος G3682, useful or profitable), once unprofitable, is now profitable., and fellow labourer, Phlm 1:24; 1Cor 3:9; Phil 2:25, Phil 4:3; Col 4:11; 1Thess 3:2

Archippus Col 4:17

our fellowsoldier Phil 2:25; 2Tim 2:3-4

the church Rom 16:5; 1Cor 16:19; Col 4:15

Rom 1:7; 2Cor 13:14; Eph 1:2

Rom 1:8; Eph 1:16; Phil 1:3; Col 1:3; 1Thess 1:2; 2Thess 1:3; 2Tim 1:3

Hearing Gal 5:6; Eph 1:15; Col 1:4

toward the Lord Phlm 1:7; Ps 16:3; Acts 9:39-41; Rom 12:13, Rom 15:25-26; 1Cor 16:1; 1John 3:23, 1John 5:1-2

the communication 2Cor 9:12-14; Phil 1:9-11; Titus 3:14; Heb 6:10; Jas 2:14, Jas 2:17

the acknowledging Matt 5:16; 1Cor 14:25; Phil 4:8; 1Pet 1:5-8, 1Pet 2:12, 1Pet 3:1, 1Pet 3:16

in you 2Pet 1:8

great joy 1Thess 1:3, 1Thess 2:13, 1Thess 2:19, 1Thess 3:9; 2John 1:4; 3John 1:3-6

the bowels Phlm 1:20; 2Cor 7:13; 2Tim 1:16