Exposition on Philemon
The whole work on one page. Select a passage number to open that passage with its notes, Scripture references, and citation.
Argumentum (prefatory note)
0Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:536
cui apostolus a Roma scribit de carcere pro [hjonesimo seruo eius, quern apostolus erudiens baptizauit, sciens eum facilius a domino suo ueniam promereri quam iam a deo fuerat consecutus, promittens ilium de cetero correcturum. nihil magis est in hac epistula attendendum nisi quanta humilitate discipulum depr[a]ecetur, dans nobis exemplum quid aput [co]aequales iacere debeamus.
... to whom the apostle writes from prison at Rome on behalf of Onesimus, his slave, whom the apostle instructed and baptized, knowing that he would more easily obtain pardon from his master than he had already obtained from God, and promising that he would amend for the future. In this letter nothing is more to be noticed than with what humility he entreats his disciple, giving us an example of what we ought to do among equals.
Chapter 1
1.1Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:536
Paulus uinctu8 Iesu Christi , [et Timotheus frater, ] In career© uel cat[h]ena. Philemoni dilecto [ fratri] , adiutori nostro
"Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ." In prison or in chains. "To Philemon our beloved fellow worker"
1.2Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:536
et Ap[p]iae sorori. In euangelio adiutor[i]: Appia uero uel soror creditur eius fuisse uel coniu[n]x. Et Archippo commilitoni nostro . Hie diaconus erat, de quo ad Colos[s]enses ait: ‘dicite Archippo: Uide ministerium quod accepisti, ut illut impleas.’ Et eedesiae quae in dorm tua est ;
"and to Apphia our sister." Fellow worker in the gospel: and Apphia is believed to have been either his sister or his wife. "And to Archippus our fellow soldier." He was a deacon, of whom he says to the Colossians: "Say to Archippus: See the ministry you have received, that you fulfil it." "And to the church in your house;"
1.3Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:536–537
gratia uobis et pax a deo patre nostro et domino lesu Christo. Cum gratiarum actione et gaudio pro nobis exorat.
"grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." He prays for us with thanksgiving and joy.
1.4Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:537
Qratias ago deo meo, semper memoriam tui fadem in orationibus metis,
"I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,"
1.5Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:537
audiens fidem tuam el caritatem. Quae [bonis] operibuB innotescit. Quam habes in domino lesu [etin otrmes sanctos]. Qui diligit caput, necesse est eum omnia membra diligere.
"hearing of your faith and love." Which is made known by works. "Which you have in the Lord Jesus." Whoever loves the head must love all the members.
1.6Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:537
[Hoc et oro ,] ut communicatio jidei tuae euidens fiat in agnitione omnis boni [quae in nobis est ] in Christo lesu. Omnes sanctos diligis in tantum [ut] omnes boni nostrorum in Christo euidenter fidelem te esse cognoscant. Siue: Hoc oro, ut opera tua in Christo clarescant.
"That the fellowship of your faith may become evident in the knowledge of every good thing in Christ Jesus." You love all the saints so much that all the good among ours in Christ clearly know you to be faithful. Or: I pray this, that your works may shine in Christ.
1.7Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:537
Gaudium enim magnum habumus] el consolationem in caritate tua, quia uiscera sanctorum requieuerunt per te,f rater. Quos hospitio recipiens refecisti.
"For we have had great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother." Whom you refreshed by receiving them as guests.
1.8Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:537
Propter quod muUam fidudam haben[te]s [in Christo lesu ] imperandi tibi. Cum nobis causa ipsius dederit fiduciam imperandi, tamen caritate[m] faciente[s] obsecrare malumus quam iubere. [Quod ad rem pertinet .] Quod ad rem pietatis pertinet Christianae.
"Therefore, though I have much confidence to command you." Though his cause has given us confidence to command, yet, as love brings about, we prefer to beseech rather than command. That which pertains to the matter of Christian devotion.
1.9Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:537–538
[Propter caritatem] magis obsecro, ctum sis talis ut Paulus senex , nunc autem et uinctus lesu Christi . Moribus talis qualis ille qui in senectute etiam pro Christo uincula non recusat.
"I rather beseech, since you are such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ." In character such as he who even in old age does not refuse chains for Christ.
1.10Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538
Obsecro te de meo filio, quem [ego] genui in uinculis , [H]onesimo,
"I beseech you for my son, whom I begot in my chains, Onesimus,"
1.11Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538
qui tibi aliquando inutili[s] \fuit\, nunc autem tibi et mihi utilis , quem [re]misi [tibi]. Quando erat gentilis uel camalis.
"who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me, whom I have sent back." When he was a Gentile or fleshly.
1.12Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538
Tu autem ilium , ut mea uiscera , suscipe . Filium meum carissimum.
"But you receive him as my own heart." My dearest son.
1.13Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538
Quem ego uolueram aput me retinere, ut pro te mihi ministraret in uinculis euangelii. Ex hoc cognosce qualis sit, qui mihi ita placuit ut possim eum credere tua mihi uice ministrare.
"Whom I had wished to keep with me, that he might minister to me in your place in the chains of the gospel." Know from this what sort of man he is, who has so pleased me that I could trust him to minister to me in your stead.
1.14Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538
Sed sine consilio tuo nihil uolui facere. Ita loquitur ut eum ad ipsum remittat. Siue : Ut magis eius utilitas commendetur. TJtinam uelut ex necessitate bonum tuum esset , sed uoluntarium. Notandum quod neminem uoluerit necessitate boni aliquit facere, ne mercedem uoluntatis amitteret.
"But without your consent I would do nothing." He speaks so as to send him back to him. Or: so that his usefulness may be commended the more. "That your good might not be as if of necessity, but voluntary." Note that he wanted no one to do anything good out of necessity, lest he lose the reward of his will.
1.15Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538
Forsitan enim ideo discessit ad [h]oram [a te], ut aeternum ilium reciperes. Forte sic hoc dei prouidentia procurauit.
"For perhaps he therefore departed for an hour, that you might receive him for ever." Perhaps God's providence brought this about so.
1.16Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:538–539
lam non [sic]ut seruum , sed pro seruo fratribus carissimum. Iam enim non quasi ex necessitate seruiet, sed uoluntarius quasi f rater. Maxime mihi : quanto \autem\ magis tibi el in came et in domino! Cui et carnaliter et secundum fidem debet obsequium. Si ergo me habes socium , suscipe ilium sicut me. Si me diligis, ita ilium suscipe sicut me, quia ego ilium [taliter] diligo quasi me.
"No longer as a slave, but in place of a slave a brother most dear." For now he will serve not as if from necessity but willingly, as a brother. "Especially to me: but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord!" To whom he owes service both in the flesh and according to faith. "If then you count me a partner, receive him as me." If you love me, receive him as me, because I love him as myself.
1.18Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
Si autem aliquit nocuit tibi [aut debet], hoc mihi inputa.
"But if he has wronged you, charge it to me."
1.19Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
ego Paulus scripsi mea manu, ego reddam; ut non dicam tibi quod [et] te ipsum mihi debes .
"I Paul have written with my own hand, I will repay; not to say to you that you owe me even yourself."
1.20Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
ita, f rater, ego tefruar in domino: rejice uiscera mea in Christo:
"Yes, brother, let me enjoy you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ:"
1.21Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
conjidens obauditioni tuae scripsi tibi, sciens quia [et] super id quod dico facies.
"trusting in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say."
1.22Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
simul autem et para mihi hospitium: nam spero per orationes uestras donari me uobis. Hie ostenditur quia prima uice sit ex Urbe dimissus.
"And at the same time prepare a lodging for me: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you." Here it is shown that the first time he was released from the City.
1.23Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
Salutat te Epafras concaptiuus meus in Christo [Iesu]. Non [in] alicuius criminis causa, sed fidei societate. [24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas , Lucas, adiutores mei.
"Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ, greets you." Not on account of any crime, but by fellowship in the faith.
1.25Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:539
gratia domini nostri Iesu Christi cum spiritu uestro. amen.] EXPLICIT AD PHILEMONEM
["The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."] Here ends the letter to Philemon.