Philemon 1:22 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But withal prepare me, &c.— The apostle's desiring Philemon to prepare him a lodging, shews that he had expectations of being set at liberty, and that then he designed them a visit at Colosse: it may also lead us to conclude, that this Epistle was written not long before the apostle was set at liberty from his first confinement at Rome, mentioned Acts 28:30. See also Philippians 2:24. We have observed before, that Philemon was a rich man; his house appears to have been a place of entertainment for the Christians who travelled that way; and therefore St. Paul desired to have a lodging among the rest: but the principal view seems to have been, not only to tell Philemon the agreeable news that he was likely to have such a guest, but to put him upon considering how he could see the apostle's face, if he denied his reasonable and earnest request for Onesimus. See Acts 12:5; Acts 12:25.