Philemon 1
Geneva Study Bible
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
That the {a} communication of thy faith may become effectual by the {b} acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

(a) By fellowship of faith, he means those duties of charity which are given to the saints, and flow from a productive faith.

(b) That by this means all men may perceive how rich you are in Christ, that is, in faith, charity, and all bountifulness.

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the (c) bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

(c) Because you did so dutifully and cheerfully refresh the saints, that they conceived inwardly a marvellous joy: for by this word (bowels) is meant not only the inward feeling of wants and miseries that men have of one another's state, but also that joy and comfort which enters into the very bowels, as though the heart were refreshed and comforted.

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
{1} Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

(1) An example of a Christian exercise and commendation for another man.

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own {d} bowels:

(d) As my own son, and as if I had begotten him from my own body.

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of {e} necessity, but willingly.

(e) That you might not seem to have lent me your servant on constraint, but willingly.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
For perhaps he therefore {f} departed for {g} a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

(f) He uses a more gentle type of speech, but in reality, he ran away.

(g) For a little time.

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the {h} flesh, and in the Lord?

(h) Because he is your servant, as other servants are, and because he is the Lord's servant, you must love him both for the Lord's sake and for your own sake.

If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
{i} Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

(i) Good brother let me obtain this benefit at your hand.

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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