whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; Philemon 1:13 NASB On your behalf – Nothing particularly special about the use of this preposition, hypér. It simply means, “in the place of,” translated here as “on your behalf.” What’s interesting…
I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, Philemon 1:12 NASB In person – What an odd thing for Paul to write? How else could Onesimus return to Philemon? There wasn’t any internet. No video conference. Not even a telephone call. Paul has only two choices: send a messenger (or…
who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. Philemon 1:11 NASB Useless – This is an odd thing to say. After all, we’re speaking about a slave. What does a slave do? Whatever the master commands. A slave is useful precisely because a slave does what’s required. …
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Philemon 1:10 NASB Child – But, of course, Onesimus is not a child. Most commentators assume that Paul uses the Greek téknon to describe Onesimus’ “conversion” birth under Paul’s tutelage. Perhaps that’s why Paul doesn’t use the usual país (boy or girl…
yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus Philemon 1:9 NASB Appeal – You know this Greek word. You just don’t know it in this context. The word is parakaléō, usually associated with the Christian idea of the Holy Spirit. What it really…
Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, Philemon 1:8 NASB Confidence – If we only had this sentence, we would think that Paul is acting like the Pope. Of course, the next sentence makes it clear that he isn’t issuing a papal bull, but we haven’t investigated that next sentence…
For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 1:7 NASB 1995 Refreshed – Paul has an agenda. It’s obvious and simple. He wants Philemon to accept Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother in the Messiah. Like…
and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. Philemon 1:6 NASB Fellowship of your faith – What is “fellowship of your faith”? It’s an odd expression, don’t you think? Oh, perhaps you never questioned this phrase. Perhaps you thought,…
because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; Philemon 1:5 NASB Toward – prós is a complicated Greek preposition. Its meaning changes with the case. If it expresses possession, it is a genitive and generally means “before.” If it is a dative,…
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, Philemon 1:4 NASB Making mention – Translated in this way, it might seem that Paul briefly speaks of these people. “Making mention” is sort of like reviewing a list, saying a sentence or two and moving on to the next item on the…
