Philemon 1 - Introduction - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The Epistle embraces the following subjects:

I. The salutation; Philemon 1:1-3.

II. A mention of the excellent account which the apostle had heard of Philemon, and the occasion which he had for thankfulness on his behalf; Philemon 1:4-7.

1. He always remembered him in his prayers; Philemon 1:4.
1. He had heard of his faith and love, and of his kindness toward those who bore the Christian name; Philemon 1:5.
2. He desired that his goodness in making others, in common with him, partakers of the expression of his faith, might be even more effective in securing the proper acknowledgment of it wherever it might be known; Philemon 1:6.
3. He says that he had great joy and consolation from the happiness which he had conferred on Christians who needed his aid; Philemon 1:7.

III. The main subject of the Epistle - the desire that he would receive his servant Onesimus again, and the arguments to persuade him to do it; Philemon 1:8-21.

(1)He places it on the ground of entreaty, not of command. He might, in virtue of his apostolic office, enjoin many things on him, and possibly this, yet he chooses to place it entirely on other grounds, and to make it a matter of personal friendship; Philemon 1:8.

1. Particular reasons why he should do it:
1. For love’s sake - love to Paul - now an old man, and in prison on account of their common religion; Philemon 1:9.
2. Paul regarded Onesimus as his own son, and asked that he might be received and treated as such; Philemon 1:10.
3. He assures Philemon that, whatever he might have been formerly, he would now find him to be profitable to himself; Philemon 1:11.
4. He assures him that Onesimus was especially dear to him, and that he would have been very useful to him in his circumstances, but that he did not think it proper to retain him with him without the consent of Philemon. Onesimus, therefore, was not sent back as a worthless vagabond, and Philemon, in receiving him, might be sure that he was receiving one who Paul believed was fitted to be eminently useful;Philemon 1:12-14 Philemon 1:12-14.
5. He suggests to Philemon that probably it was so arranged by divine Providence, that Onesimus should depart in order that he might receive him again in a far more tender and endearing relation, not as a servant, but as a Christian brother; Philemon 1:15-16
6. He appeals to the personal friendship of Philemon, and asks that if he regarded him as a participator with him in the hopes of the gospel, or as a fellow-laborer in a common cause, he would receive him as he would himself; Philemon 1:17.
7. He says that he would himself become security for Onesimus if he owed Philemon anything, or had in any way wronged him; Philemon 1:18-19.

He concludes the argument by referring to the happiness which it would give him if Philemon would receive his former servant again; and with the expression of his conviction that he would do more than he asked in the matter, and then asks that, while he showed favor to Onesimus, he would also prepare a lodging for him, for he hoped soon to be with him; Philemon 1:20-22.

Perhaps by this last suggestion he hoped also to do much to favor the cause of Onesimus - for Philemon could hardly turn him away when he expected that Paul himself would soon be with him. Such an argument would be likely to be effectual in the case. We do not like to deny the request which a friend makes in a letter, if we expect soon to see the writer himself. It would be much more easy to do it if we had no expectations of seeing him very soon.

IV. The Epistle closes with affectionate salutations from certain persons who were with Paul, and who were probably well known to Philemon, and with the customary benediction; Philemon 1:23-25.