New International Version So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. New Living Translation So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. English Standard Version So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. Berean Standard Bible So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. Berean Literal Bible Therefore, if you hold me a partner, receive him as me. King James Bible If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. New King James Version If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. New American Standard Bible If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. NASB 1995 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. NASB 1977 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. Legacy Standard Bible If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would accept me. Amplified Bible So if you consider me a partner, welcome and accept him as you would me. Berean Annotated Bible So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. Christian Standard Bible So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. Holman Christian Standard Bible So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me. American Standard Version If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. Contemporary English Version If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. English Revised Version If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. GOD'S WORD® Translation If you think of me as your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. Good News Translation So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. International Standard Version So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. NET Bible Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. New Heart English Bible If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. Webster's Bible Translation If thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. Weymouth New Testament If therefore you regard me as a comrade, receive him as if he were I myself. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. World English Bible If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf, then, you have fellowship with me, receive him as me, Berean Literal Bible Therefore, if you hold me a partner, receive him as me. Young's Literal Translation If, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me, Smith's Literal Translation If therefore thou hold me a participator, receive him in addition as me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, if you hold me to be a companion, receive him as you would me. New American Bible So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. New Revised Standard Version So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow, therefore, if you still count me a partner, welcome him as you would me. Aramaic Bible in Plain English If, therefore, you are my partner, receive him as mine. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIf, then, you regard me as a partner, receive him as myself. Godbey New Testament if then you have me a comrade, receive him as myself. Haweis New Testament If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with thee, receive him as myself. Mace New Testament I beg you therefore by the common ties of friendship to receive him as you would myself. Weymouth New Testament If therefore you regard me as a comrade, receive him as if he were I myself. Worrell New Testament If, therefore, you hold me as a partner, receive him as myself. Worsley New Testament If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Paul's Appeal for Onesimus…16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord. 17So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.… Cross References So if you consider me a partner 2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. Galatians 2:9 And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. Philippians 1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, receive him Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God. 3 John 1:8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. Mark 9:37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.” as you would receive me. Matthew 10:40 He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me. John 13:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.” Galatians 4:14 And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. Philippians 2:29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am. / No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers. Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him. Ephesians 6:21-22 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. / I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. Treasury of Scripture If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. thou count. Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: receive. Philemon 1:10,12 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: … Matthew 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. Matthew 12:48-50 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? … Jump to Previous Accept Comrade Consider Count Countest Fellowship Friend Holdest Partner Receive Regard WelcomeJump to Next Accept Comrade Consider Count Countest Fellowship Friend Holdest Partner Receive Regard WelcomePhilemon 1 1. Paul rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, 8. whom he desires to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him again. So if you consider me a partner, Paul appeals to the fellowship he and Philemon share as fellow servants of Christ. Their common faith and labor in the gospel provide the basis for his request. 2Co 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you.… receive him Onesimus, once separated from Philemon, has become a believer and is now returning. Paul calls for forgiveness and restoration within the household of faith. Rom 15:7 Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you,… as you would receive me. Philemon is to welcome Onesimus with the same honor and affection he would extend to Paul. Though Roman law gave masters broad authority over slaves, Paul directs Philemon to regard Onesimus as a brother in Christ. Mat 10:40 He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me… Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who wrote the letter to Philemon. He is imprisoned at the time of writing and is advocating for Onesimus. 2. Philemon A Christian leader and the recipient of the letter. He is a wealthy man who hosts a church in his home. 3. Onesimus A runaway slave who has become a Christian under Paul's mentorship. Paul is sending him back to Philemon with this letter. 4. Colossae The city where Philemon resides and where the church meets in his home. 5. The Church The body of believers meeting in Philemon's house, who are also indirectly addressed in the letter. Teaching Points Partnership in the GospelPaul appeals to Philemon on the basis of their partnership in Christ. This teaches us the importance of viewing our relationships through the lens of our shared faith. Reconciliation and Forgiveness The letter exemplifies the Christian call to forgive and reconcile, even in difficult circumstances. We are encouraged to seek reconciliation in our own relationships. Identity in Christ Onesimus' transformation from a slave to a brother in Christ highlights the new identity believers have. We should view others through the lens of their identity in Christ. Hospitality and Acceptance Paul's request for Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul challenges us to practice radical hospitality and acceptance within the body of Christ. Intercession and Advocacy Paul acts as an advocate for Onesimus, modeling how we can intercede for others and support them in their spiritual journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Philemon 1:17?2. How can we "welcome" others as Paul asks Philemon to welcome Onesimus? 3. What does Philemon 1:17 teach about Christian fellowship and reconciliation? 4. How does Philemon 1:17 connect to Jesus' teachings on forgiveness? 5. In what ways can we apply Philemon 1:17 in our daily relationships? 6. How does welcoming others reflect Christ's love and acceptance in our lives? 7. How does Philemon 1:17 challenge our understanding of forgiveness and reconciliation in Christian relationships? 8. What historical context is essential to fully grasp the message of Philemon 1:17? 9. How does Philemon 1:17 reflect the early Christian view on slavery and social hierarchy? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Philemon 1? (17) A partner.--The title is peculiar. In the singular number (in which it is naturally more distinctive) and in absolute use, unconnected with explanatory words (such as we read in 1Peter 5:1), it is nowhere else found, except in 2Corinthians 8:23, where Titus is called St. Paul's "partner and fellow helper;" and even there the context defines the partnership as relating to the collection and ministration of alms. Here it can hardly refer to general Christian fellowship, which would require some such words as "in Christ," or "in the Spirit," and would not fully justify the strong personal appeal of the passage. It must indicate some peculiar bond of fellowship between St. Paul and Philemon. Philemon was his convert (see Philemon 1:19); yet we notice that he writes to him not as a son, but as a brother. Evidently he was a leader in the Church at Colossae. Tradition, as usual, makes him its bishop. He must have been St. Paul's partner in some common work or special communion of familiarity. (See Introduction, sect. 2.)Verse 17. - If thou count me therefore a partner; if thou holdest me for a friend - by our friendship entreat this. The strongest form of entreaty possible to be used. Κοινωνία in Acts 2:42 refers to the Holy Communion, and in 1 Corinthians 10:16-21 partakers of it are plainly called by implication κοινωνοὶ ( παρτακερσ, or, as we should say, "communicants." But here the sense is apparently as above; literally, a partner. Philemon 1:17 shows practical gospel partnership at work. Because Paul and Philemon share true fellowship in Christ, Philemon must welcome Onesimus without reserve, granting him the same honor he would give the apostle. The verse teaches that Christian unity overrides social status, forgiveness mirrors God’s grace, and believers extend to one another the very reception they would give to Jesus Himself. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Soοὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. if Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. you consider ἔχεις (echeis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. me με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. a partner, κοινωνόν (koinōnon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2844: A sharer, partner, companion. From koinos; a sharer, i.e. Associate. receive προσλαβοῦ (proslabou) Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4355: (a) I take to myself, (b) I take aside, (c) I welcome. From pros and lambano; to take to oneself, i.e. Use, lead, admit. him αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. as [you would receive] ὡς (hōs) Adverb Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. me. ἐμέ (eme) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Additonal Resources Philemon 1:17 Blue Letter BiblePhilemon 1:17 Bible Gateway Philemon 1:17 Bible.com Philemon 1:17 NIV |
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