Philemon 1:10 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: I beseech thee - emphatically repeated from Philemon 1:9. In the Greek "Onesimus" is skillfully put last; the favourable description of him precedes the name that had fallen into so bad repute with Philemon. "I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus." Scripture does not sanction slavery; yet does not begin a political crusade against it. It sets forth principles of love to our fellow-men, sure (as they have done) in due time to undermine and overthrow it, without violently convulsing the existing political fabric, by stirring up slaves against their master. 'By Christianizing the master, the Gospel enfranchises the slave' (Wordsworth).