Philemon 1:20

1:15-22 When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened and brought to repentance; especially in cases of injury done to others. The communion of saints does not destroy distinction of property. This passage is an instance of that being imputed to one, which is contracted by another; and of one becoming answerable for another, by a voluntary engagement, that he might be freed from the punishment due to his crimes, according to the doctrine that Christ of his own will bore the punishment of our sins, that we might receive the reward of his righteousness. Philemon was Paul's son in the faith, yet he entreated him as a brother. Onesimus was a poor slave, yet Paul besought for him as if seeking some great thing for himself. Christians should do what may give joy to the hearts of one another. From the world they expect trouble; they should find comfort and joy in one another. When any of our mercies are taken away, our trust and hope must be in God. We must diligently use the means, and if no other should be at hand, abound in prayer.

Yet, though prayer prevails, it does not merit the things obtained. And if Christians do not meet on earth, still the grace of the Lord Jesus will be with their spirits, and they will soon meet before the throne to join for ever in admiring the riches of redeeming love. The example of Onesimus may encourage the vilest sinners to return to God, but it is shamefully prevented, if any are made bold thereby to persist in evil courses. Are not many taken away in their sins, while others become more hardened? Resist not present convictions, lest they return no more.

Yea, brother: the particle nai is used in swearing, affirming, persuading, entreating, the latter seemeth here most proper; as much as, of all love, brother. Let me have joy of thee in the Lord; it will rejoice my heart to see thee charitable and obedient to my monitions, let me have a spiritual joy from thy satisfying of me in what I desire. Refresh my bowels in the Lord; either Onesimus, whom he had called his bowels, Philemon 1:12 ; or, my inward man.

20. let me—"me" is emphatic: "Let me have profit (so Greek 'for joy,' onainen, referring to the name Onesimus, 'profitable') from thee, as thou shouldst have had from Onesimus"; for "thou owest thine ownself to me." in the Lord—not in worldly gain, but in thine increase in the graces of the Lord's Spirit [Alford]. my bowels—my heart. Gratify my feelings by granting this request. in the Lord—The oldest manuscripts read, "in Christ," the element or sphere in which this act of Christian love naturally ought to have place.

(20) Let me have joy of thee. —Properly, may I have pleasure, or profit, from thee : a phrase used especially of the mingled pleasure and help derived from children. (See Dr. Lightfoot’s Note on this passage.) The word “I” is emphatic. St. Paul puts himself forward to plead for Onesimus, what he himself could not plead. Nor can it be accidental that the word “profit” is the root of the name Onesimus. St. Paul says, in effect, “May I find thee (as I have found him) a true Onesimus.”

Yea (ναί) A confirmatory particle, gathering up the whole previous intercession for Onesimus. So Matthew 11:26, even so; Rev., yea. Luke 11:51, verily; Rev., yea. Luke 12:5, yea. Let me have joy (ὀναίμην) Or help. Lit., may I profit. Again a play upon the name Onesimus. The verb is frequently used with reference to filial duties. Ignatius employs it, in one instance, directly after an allusion to another Onesimus (Ephesians, 2).

Verse 20. - Yea, indeed, brother, let me have joy of thee. This word ὀναίμην is from the same root as the word "Onesimus," and the apostle, more suo , relaxing into his friendly familiar manner after the grave and touching language of the last few verses, plays upon the word. Let me have profit of thee - let me have Onesimus of thee. In the Lord (comp. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ). The phrase is twice repeated in this verse, and is very characteristic of St. Paul. But A, C, D*, F, G, I, read en Christo in the second clause. א has been altered, χω for κω , second .; "refresh my heart in Christ" (Revised Version). Philemon 1:20

Philemon 1:20 . ναί : cf. Php 4:3 , ναὶ ἐρωτῶ καὶ σέ .— ἀδελφέ : an affectionate appeal, cf. Galatians 3:15 ; Galatians 6:1-18 .— ἐγώ : “The emphatic ἐγώ identifies the cause of Onesimus with his own” (Lightfoot).— σου ὀναίμην : ἅπ . λεγ . in N.T., it occurs once in the Septuagint ( Sir 30:2 ), and several times in the Ignatian Epp. ( Ephesians 2:2 , Magn. ii. 12, Rom. Philemon 1:2 , Pol. i. 1, vi. 2). Ὀν . is a play on the name Onesimus, lit., “May I have profit of thee”; Lightfoot says that the common use of the word ὀναίμην would suggest the thought of filial offices, and gives a number of instances of its use. It is the only proper optative in the N.T. which is not in the third person (Moulton, Grammar of N.T. Greek , p. 195).— ἀνάπαυσον : see note on Philemon 1:7 .— ἐν Χριστῷ : St. Paul refers to the real source from which the ἀναπαύειν gets its strength.

20 . Yea ] So (in the Greek) Matthew 15:27 ; Php 4:3 . brother ] Again the word of love and honour, as in Philemon 1:7 . let me have joy of thee ] We may render, less warmly, “ Let me reap benefit of thee .” So the Geneva Version; “ Let me obteyne this fruit of thee .” But the Greek usage of the verb before us here, in the optative , in which it often conveys a “ God bless you ,” favours the text. He does not merely ask to be served, but to be made very happy.—Tyndale renders, “ Let me enioie thee .” Latin Versions, Ita, frater, ego te fruar; which Wyclif, mistaking, renders, “ so brother I schal use thee .” in the Lord ] All is “ in Him ” for His living members. refresh my bowels ] Refresh , or rest, my heart . See on Philemon 1:7 above. in the Lord ] Read undoubtedly, in Christ .