Philemon 1:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Mine own bowels:— There are a number of passages in the ancient Greek and Latin writers, where children are called the bowels of their parents. Observe how the apostle rises in his expressions: in Philemon 1:10 it was, my son Onesimus: here it is mine own bowels, or "my most dearly and tenderly-beloved son;" and Philemon 1:17 it is, myself, or my very self. There is that in Christianity which so far throws down distinctions, as to set all good men upon a level,without destroying in the least degree that subordination which is essential to the existence of society. A slave, upon becoming a good Christian, is the son, the friend, the brother, the bowels, and the very soul or self of the great apostle of the Gentiles: such an alteration does the gospel make in spirituals, while it destroys not the civil distinctions among men. How graceful is the apostle's manner of condescension! He had before laid aside all his apostolic authority, and entreated Philemon as a supplicant: he now humbles himself to a level with Onesimus, to exalt Onesimus's character, and to intimate the worthiness of the person for whom he was petitioning. With what zeal and ardent affection does he serve his friend! How skilfully and strenuously does he plead his cause! adding motive to motive, though in the most concise and elegant manner, like one who was unwilling to take a denial. Scipio Gentilis has endeavoured to shew, that this Epistle has several of the beauties which shine in Demosthenes and Tully, and which Aristotle and Longinus have admired and celebrated in the ancient poets and orators.