An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

The Epistle of Paul to PHILEMON, Analytically expounded.

The Contents.

PHilemon, one of the Colossian Pastors had a servant called Onesimus, who being guilty of theft, came to Rome, and by the special providence of God, upon his hearing of Paul, (who preached the Gospel at Rome in bonds) hee is converted to the Faith: This Onesimus the Apostle sends back to his Master Philemon, and earnestly with many Arguments pleads his pardon, that hee might bee received into favour; And because the Holy Ghost, in the business of Onesimus, would set forth an instance, both of his divine love, and of our duty towards penitent sinners, though of the meanest rank amongst men; therefore for the universal and perpetual edification of the Church, God would admit this among the other Canonical Epistles.

THe parts of the Epistle are three: The first is a Pre∣face accommodated to the purpose in hand, to vers. 8. The second contains the Arguments of his request, that Onesimus might be restored, to vers. 21. The third is the Epilogue or Conclusion.

Vers. 1. Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer.

The direction of this Epistle hath the same persons sending their salutations, as the Epistle to the Colossians hath, which together with this, seemes to bee written and sent by Tychicus, and this Onesimus; whom the Apostle (now hee is converted) commends to the Colossian Church, Chap. 4.7, 8, 9.

Philemon made no doubt of Pauls Apostleship: There∣fore of that the Apostle makes no mention, but of his bonds which hee accounted honourable for the Gospel of Christ; hee adjoyns his brother Timothy to himself; as a partner in his request: First, Hee calls Philemon Be∣loved, Then, his fellow-labourer, viz. in the preaching of the Gospel, that hee might make way for the reconciling of Philemons mind.

Vers. 2. And to our beloved Apphia and Archippus our fellow-souldier, and to the Church in thy house:

3. Grace to you, and Peace from God our Father, and the Lord Iesus Christ.

Hee salutes Apphia the wife of Philemon, beloved in Christ, because it was her business in common with her Husband to receive this fugitive servant; hee adds his salutations to the whole houshold, which Philemon go∣verned as a Church; And to Archippus the Pastor of the Church, and partner with Philemon, that hee might have the more assistants in his request, all which hee salutes with his Apostolical benediction.

Vers. 4. I thank my God, making mention of th••e alwaies in my prayers.

Further hee endeavours the good will of Philemon, by four Arguments in the remaining part of the Prologue.

Argum. 1. Hee gives thanks for the gifts of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon Philemon, and also praies for the increase of his gifts.

Vers. 5. Hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast toward the Lord Iesus, and toward all Saints:

Argum. 2. Particularly from the commendation of his Faith in Christ, and his love flowing there-from, to∣wards all men, especially towards the Saints: which two comprehend the whole perfection of a Christian-man, and this is the matter of his thanksgiving for Phile∣mon.

Vers. 6. That the communication of thy Faith may be∣come effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing, which is in you in Christ Iesus.

Argum. 3. By way of Prayer, That his Faith might shew forth its efficacy in good fruits, that to the ho∣nour of Christ, the sincere Grace of Christ abiding in him and his wife might bee known to all, and this is the matter of his prayer for Philemon.

Vers. 7. For wee have great joy, and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the Saints are re∣freshed by thee, Brother.

Argum. 4. From the rejoycing which hee had in this, that Philemon was so helpful to the necessity of the Saints, that they all acknowledged their bowels to bee refreshed by him.

The Second Part.

Vers. 8. Wherefore though I might bee much bold in Christ to injoyn thee that which is convenient;

The second part of the Epistle follows, wherein the Apostle requests that Philemon would take Onesimus his fugitive servant, into his favour: The Arguments which hee uses to this end are fourteen.

Argum. 1. By the right of an Apostle I can command, that which is thy duty: Therefore Onesimus is to bee received into favour, when I shall have shewed thee thy duty in this matter.

Vers. 9. Yet for loves sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a priso∣ner of Iesus Christ.

Argum. 2. Though I could command thee in this matter, yet I had rather out of love to thee, lay aside commands, and humbly request thee: Therefore thou oughtest to grant what I request touching Onesi∣mus.

Such an one] Argum. 3. Thou oughtest to do that for Paul, now aged, and in bonds for Christ, which is acceptable to him, seeing hee humbly requests of thee that which is honest, and may easily bee done: There∣fore thou oughtest to grant what I require concerning Onesimus.

Vers. 10. I beseech thee for my Son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds.

Argum. 4. My request is for Onesimus thy servant, whom, while I lye in bonds, I have set at liberty from the bonds of Satan, by the Gospel, to the Faith of Christ, and whom I esteem no less than my own Son: Therefore receive him.

Vers. 11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable: but now profitable to thee, and to mee.

Argum. 5. Although formerly before his conversion,

Onesimus was unprofitable to thee, yet hereafter hee will prove a faithful and diligent servant, in performing the duties of his condition: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 12. Whom I have sent again: thou therefore re∣ceive him that is mine own bowels.

Argum. 6. Thou shalt refresh my bowels if thou cour∣teously receive Onesimus, but if otherwise, thou art dis∣courteous towards mee: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 13. Whom I would have retained with mee, that in thy stead hee might have ministred unto mee in the bonds of the Gospel.

14. But without thy mind would I do nothing: that thy benefit should not bee as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Argum. 7. I have so great an opinion of Onesi∣mus his faithfulness in his service, that I should commit my self and affairs to his fidelity, and should make use of him, had I not rather obtain that cour∣tesie upon thy offer, than extort it upon any necessity: Therefore, &c.

That in thy stead] Argum. 8. Thou thy self Phi∣lemon art bound to minister unto mee in my bonds, in no wise to refuse thy servant again at my request, for thy own proper benefit: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 15. For perhaps hee therefore departed for a sea∣son, that thou shouldest receive him for ever.

Argum. 9. By the providence of God, Onesimus his running away for a time, will turn to thy advantage, by his constant abiding with thee for the future: There∣fore, &c.

Vers. 16. Not now as a Servant, but above a Servant, a Brother beloved, specially to mee, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Argum. 10. Onesimus will not return to thee a ser∣vant onely, but also a faithful Brother in Christ; and therefore to bee loved of thee, as well according to the flesh, because thy houshold servant, as in the Lord, be∣cause a Christian; For seeing I love him, who make no use of him, how much more ought hee to bee beloved of thee, who art to receive the benefit of his fidelity: There∣fore, &c.

Vers. 17. If thou count mee therefore a partner, re∣ceive him as my self.

Argum. 11. In this I shall try how much thou va∣luest my society, fellowship and friendship? There∣fore, &c.

Vers. 18. If hee hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.

Argum. 12. By way of answer to an Objection, The damage that thou hast sustained by his theft, whereby Onesimus is become a debtor, I Paul am ready to an∣swer; in testimony whereof, I will that thou set upon my account, what thou art a loser by Onesimus, to that end I will that thou keep this Epistle written with my own hand, as an obligation: Therefore hee is to bee received again.

Vers. 19. I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it. Albeit I do not say to thee, how thou owest unto mee even thine own self besides.

Argum. 13. Thou owest thy self unto mee, because converted by my Ministery, and art bound to lay out thy∣self, and all thou hast, in my service; much more to re∣ceive a fugitive servant upon such equal tearms: There∣fore, &c.

Vers. 20. Yea, Brother, let mee have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Argum. 14. I shall receive fruit of thy Faith in the Lord, if thou grant this to mee, thou shalt refresh his bowels and mine for Christs sake: Therefore Onesimus ought to bee received into favour.

Vers. 21. Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

The third part of the Epistle follows; being the con∣clusion, wherein are four Articles.

(1) In the first the Apostle professes his hopes of ob∣taining pardon for Onesimus, and of more favour than hee had requested.

Vers. 22. But withall prepare mee also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall bee given un∣to you.

(2) Wherein hee desires him to provide him a lodg∣ing, that Philemon might know that the Apostle would come, to his greater consolation, if hee gratified him in the contents of this Epistle: In the mean time hee in∣serts two causes of his deliverance out of bonds, which are the gifts and the grace of God, or the prayers of the Brethren.

Vers. 23. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-pri∣soner in Christ Iesus:

24. Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers.

(3) Wherein salutations are sent to Philemon, by those which were in Pauls company, all which make to the scope of this Epistle, as also those which are premised in the Preface, viz. to excite the mind of Philemon, to re∣ceive Onesimus into favour.

Vers. 25. The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ bee with your spirit. Amen.

(4) Wherein comprehending Philemon and Apphia under his Apostolical benediction, hee concludes his E∣pistle.