Philemon 1:13

1:8-14 It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies profitable, the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable. Unholy persons are unprofitable; they answer not the great end of their being. But what happy changes conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable, useful. Religious servants are treasures in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, and manage all they can for the best. No prospect of usefulness should lead any to neglect their obligations, or to fail in obedience to superiors. One great evidence of true repentance consists in returning to practise the duties which have been neglected. In his unconverted state, Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's injury; but now he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty. Little do men know for what purposes the Lord leaves some to change their situations, or engage in undertakings, perhaps from evil motives. Had not the Lord overruled some of our ungodly projects, we may reflect upon cases, in which our destruction must have been sure.

(13) Whom I would have retained. —In the original we have here a graceful distinction in two points between the two clauses. The verb in the first clause is “to wish;” in the second “to will.” The tense in the first clause is the imperfect: “I was wishing,” or “prepared to wish” (just as in Acts 25:22 ; and, in the case of a cognate verb, Romans 9:3 ), implying, perhaps, a suppressed condition; in the second it is the past definite: “I willed,” or “determined” finally. In thy stead.—Here, again, there is a certain delicacy of suggestion. A slave was his master’s property; he could act only on his master’s behalf and by his consent. St. Paul is sure that Philemon’s love for him would have gladly given that consent, and so made Onesimus an instrument of willing service to St. Paul.

13. I—emphatical. I for my part. Since I had such implicit trust in him as to desire to keep him with me for his services, thou mayest. I would have retained—different Greek from the "would," Phm 14, "I could have wished," "I was minded" here; but "I was not willing," Phm 14. in thy stead—that he might supply in your place all the services to me which you, if you were here, would render in virtue of the love you bear to me (Phm 19). bonds of the gospel—my bonds endured for the Gospel's sake (Phm 9).

I would (ἐβουλόμην) Rev., I would fain. See on Matthew 1:19. The imperfect tense denotes the desire awakened but arrested. See on I would, Plm 1:14. With me (πρὸς εμαυτὸν) The preposition expresses more than near or beside. It implies intercourse. See on with God, John 1:1. In thy stead (ὑπὲρ σοῦ) Rev., correctly, in thy behalf. A beautiful specimen of christian courtesy and tact; assuming that Philemon would have desired to render these services in person. In the bonds of the Gospel Connect with me. Bonds with which he is bound for the sake of the Gospel: with which Christ has invested him. A delicate hint at his sufferings is blended with an intimation of the authority which attaches to his appeal as a prisoner of Christ. This language of Paul is imitated by Ignatius. "My bonds exhort you" (Tralles, 12). "He (Jesus Christ) is my witness, in whom I am bound" (Philadelphia, 7). "In whom I bear about my bonds as spiritual pearls" (Ephesians, 11). "In the bonds which I bear about, I sing the praises of the churches" (Magnesians, 1).

Verse 13. - I was wishing ; I would fain have kept (Revised Version). The story tells itself if we read between the lines. What steadfast adherence to principle on the part of the apostle, when the help of Onesimus would have been so welcome to him in his weak health, and his position as a prisoner! Philemon could hardly fail to think more favorably of Onesimus, when he saw how much importance the apostle attached to his services. In the bonds of the gospel. "Which I am enduring for the sake of the gospel" (see Ver. 9) - a variation of phrase from Ver. 9 (and of our Lord's words, Mark 8:35 ; Mark 10:29 ). Philemon 1:13

Philemon 1:13 . ἐγὼ : a further emphatic mode of expression.— ἐβουλόμην : βούλεσθαι connotes the idea of purpose, θέλειν simply that of willing. The differences between the tenses— ἐβουλόμην and ἐθέλησα ( Philemon 1:14 )—is significant; “the imperfect implies a tentative, inchoate process; while the aorist describes a definite complete act. The will stepped in and put an end to the inclinations of the mind” (Lightfoot).— κατέχειν : “to detain,” directly opposed to ἀπέχῃς in Philemon 1:15 . Deissmann ( Op cit. , p. 222) points out that κατέχω is often used in papyri and on ostraka of binding , though in a magical sense.— ὑπὲρ σοῦ : “in thy stead,” the implication being that Philemon is placed under an obligation to his slave; for the force of ὑπὲρ as illustrated on the papyri, etc., see Deissmann’s important remarks on pp. 105, 241 ff. of his work already quoted.— διακονῇ : used in the Pauline Epistles both of Christian ministration generally ( Romans 11:13 ; 1 Corinthians 12:5 ; Ephesians 4:12 ) and in special reference to bodily wants, such as alms can supply ( 1 Corinthians 16:15 ; 2 Corinthians 8:4 ).— ἐν τοῖς δεσμ . τοῦ εὐαγγ .: i.e. , the bonds which the Gospel had tied, and which necessitated his being ministered unto.— τοῦ εὐαγγελίου : see Mark 1:14-15 and cf. Matthew 4:23 ; Christ uses the word often in reference to the Messianic Era. “The earliest instances of the use of εὐαγγέλιον in the sense of a book would be: Did. 8, 11, 15 bis ; Ign.

13 . I would ] Lit., “ I was wishing ” ; the imperfect indicates a half-purpose, stopped by other considerations. Lightfoot compares for similar imperfects Romans 9:3 ; Galatians 4:20 . me ] Lit., myself . in thy stead ] On thy behalf ; as thy representative, substitute, agent. He assumes the loving Philemon’s personal devotion. ministered ] as personal attendant; the habitual reference of the verb. Cp. e.g. Matthew 4:11 ; Matthew 8:15 ; Luke 17:8 ; Luke 22:26 ; John 12:2 ; 2 Timothy 1:18 . of the gospel ] “For the hope of Israel,” and of the world, “he was bound with this chain” ( Acts 28:20 ). Cp. Php 1:13 . On the word “ Gospel ” see note on Colossians 1:5 .

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead - "That he might render me the service which I know you would if you were here." The Greek is: "for thee" ὑπὲρ σοῦ huper sou; that is, what he should do for Paul might be regarded as done by Philemon himself. He might have ministered unto me - He might have rendered me assistance (διακονῇ diakonē); to wit, in such a way as one who was in bonds would need.