3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
4 I give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers, 5 hearing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that 'is' in you toward Christ Jesus; 7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit— 9 because of the love I rather entreat, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ; 10 I entreat thee concerning my child—whom I did beget in my bonds—Onesimus, 11 who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philemon 1:3-11
Commentary on Philemon 1:1-7
(Read Philemon 1:1-7)
Faith in Christ, and love to him, should unite saints more closely than any outward relation can unite the people of the world. Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering his friends. We must remember Christian friends much and often, as their cases may need, bearing them in our thoughts, and upon our hearts, before our God. Different sentiments and ways in what is not essential, must not make difference of affection, as to the truth. He inquired concerning his friends, as to the truth, growth, and fruitfulness of their graces, their faith in Christ, and love to him, and to all the saints. The good which Philemon did, was matter of joy and comfort to him and others, who therefore desired that he would continue and abound in good fruits, more and more, to God's honour.
Commentary on Philemon 1:8-14
(Read Philemon 1:8-14)
It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies "profitable," the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable. Unholy persons are unprofitable; they answer not the great end of their being. But what happy changes conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable, useful. Religious servants are treasures in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, and manage all they can for the best. No prospect of usefulness should lead any to neglect their obligations, or to fail in obedience to superiors. One great evidence of true repentance consists in returning to practise the duties which have been neglected. In his unconverted state, Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's injury; but now he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty. Little do men know for what purposes the Lord leaves some to change their situations, or engage in undertakings, perhaps from evil motives. Had not the Lord overruled some of our ungodly projects, we may reflect upon cases, in which our destruction must have been sure.