A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO [note a] PHILEMON. (Book Philemon)

[ a] * 1.1 PHilemon, to whom this Epistle was written, is said to have been an eminent person in Colossae; and so that of Col. 4. 9. inclines to believe, where Onesimus, Philemons servant, is said to be one of them. S. Paul had con∣verted him to the saith, ver. 19. but that not at Colossae, (for he had not been personally there, Col. 2. 1.) but in some other place, where he had also contracted a friendship with him. Onesimus had been his servant, and had stolne and run away from him, and coming to Rome while Paul was prisoner there, was converted by him, v. 10. and is now returned to his Master with this Epistle of commendation, to obtain a pardon and reception for him; which consequently was written and sent from Rome, where he now was in prison, An. Chr. 59. And this at the same time that the Epistle to the Colossians was sent, as may be conjectured by these characters com∣mon to them: 1. Timothy joyned with Paul in the beginning; 2. the same saluations in the conclusion, Epa∣phras, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Lucas; and 3. Archippus called upon in both to take care and look to the trust committed to him.

CHAP. I.

1. PAUL a prisoner of Jesus Christ and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly-beloved, and fellow-labourer,

2. And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soul∣dier, and to [the Church in thy house:]

[Paraphrase] 2. those Christians that are with thee.

3. Grace to you and peace from God our father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. I thank my God, making mention of thee alwaies in my prayers,

5. Hearing of [thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints,]

[Paraphrase] 5. thy charity to all the saints, and thy faith in Christ (see note on Mat. 7. d.)

6. That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknow∣ledging of every good thing, which is* 1.2 in you† 1.3 in Christ Jesus.]

[Paraphrase] 6. That your liberality & charity to others that are in want, flowing from thy faith in Christ Jesus, (see note on Act. 2. c) may be able to demonstrate to all the zeal of your charity and kindnesse toward Jesus Christ.

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

[Paraphrase] 7. This liberal charity of thine is matter of great joy and comfort to me, to consider how many Christians are in their wants refreshed & comforted by thee, my beloved Philemon.

8. Wherefore though I might be much bold in Christ to injoyn thee that which is convenient,]

[Paraphrase] 8. And therefore though from my experience of thee I have great freenesse of behaviour toward thee in or through Christ (see Joh. 7. a.) and am not shie or backward to lay it upon thee as an Apostolical command, knowing that thou wilt readily obey it,

9. 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.]

[Paraphrase] 9. Yet I chose rather to make it my request upon the score of thy love toward me, who as an old man and a prisoner, shall obtain some kindnesse and affection from thee.

10. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bands;]

[Paraphrase] 10. And my request is not for my self, but for Onesimus, one whom I have converted to the faith since I was a prisoner;

11. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me;]

[Paraphrase] 11. A person that formerly injured thee, when he ran a∣way from thee, but is now, if thou wilt receive him again (according to the signification of his name) likely to be profitable to thee, and, if thou please, to me also (see v. 13.)

12. Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him that is mine own bowels.]

[Paraphrase] 12. He is thy servant, and therefore I have remitted him to thee. I pray receive him, and entertain him with all kindnesse, as one dearly beloved by me.

13. Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have mi∣nistred unto me in the bonds of the Gospel.

[Paraphrase] 13. Had it not been for the reason specified v. 14. I would have kept him here with me, that he might attend and doe me all those good offices, while I am in prison for the doctrine of Christ, which I know thou wouldest doe, if thou wert here.

14. But without thy mind would I doe nothing: that thy* 1.4 benefit should not be as it were of necessity but willingly.]

[Paraphrase] 14. But I would not doe so, till thou hadst given thy consent, that thy charity to me may be perfectly free, and so thy kindnesse in affording him to me, if thou thinkest meet.

15.* 1.5 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever;]

16. 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?]

[Paraphrase] 16. Being now so impro∣ved, that he will not only de∣serves to be looked on as a servant, usefull to thee so, but more then so, as a fellow-Christian, and usefull to thee in those best thinges; one very usefull to me, and therefore in any reason to be so much more to thee, who hast a double relation to him, as one of thy family, and one of thy faith.

17. If thou* 1.6 count me therefore a partner, receive him as my selfe.]

[Paraphrase] 17. If therefore thou look∣est on me as a friend, if all be common between thee and me, as between friends, treat him as thou wouldst doe me, if I should come unto thee.

18. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought. put that on mine account.]

[Paraphrase] 18. And if at this coming away from thee he purloined any thing from thee, or hath any thing of thine in his hands, I will be answerable to thee for it.

19. I Paul [note a] have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I doe not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.]

[Paraphrase] 19. I give thee this bill under my hand, whereby I oblige my self to pay it; though I might put thee in mind, that a greater debt then that need not be stood on between me and thee, who owest thy conversion, and so thy soul and wel-being, and so thy self, to me.

20.† 1.7 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: [refresh my bowels in the Lord.]

[Paraphrase] 20. give me cause of re∣joicing to see thee, doe as be∣comes a true charitable Christian to doe.

21. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also doe more then I say.

22. But withall prepare me also a lodging: for I trust [that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.]

[Paraphrase] 21. that by the benefit of the prayers of you and others for me, I shall have liberty from my bonds, and be permitted to come and visit you.

23. There salute thee Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus,

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

25. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Written from Rome to Philemon by Onesimus* 1.8 a servant.

Annotations on Philemon.

[ a] * 1.9 V. Written it with my own hand] These words are to be explained by the Roman laws: that of Ulpian among their Axiomes, Si quis scripseris se fidejussisse, omnia solenniter acta videri, If any one write that he hath undertaken a debt, this is a solemn obliging of him; and that of Iustinian, Ut quodcunque scriptum sit quasi actum, etiam actum fuisse videatur, That whatso∣ever is written as if it were done, seems, and is repu∣ted, to have been done. Both to this purpose, that a man is bound as much by his own hand, or confession under it, as if any other testimonies or proofs were against him of a fact or debt, or himself under a solemn ob∣ligation. So Anianus paraphrasing on Paulus lib. 5. Collect. t. 7. Si scribat aliquis se quamcunque sum∣mam redditurum, ita habetur quasi ad interrogata ista, Dabis? Promittis? responderit, Dabo, Promitto. Ideóque ad redhibitionem tenetur, If any one write that he will pay such a summe, he is as much obliged as if he had answered to the ordinary interrogatories, Wilt thou give? Dost thou promise? I will give, I doe promise. And therefore he is bound to make payment. So in the Novells 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. the distinction is put between those who in Contracts 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, enter in bands and obligations, which are done in courts, and those who 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, write it under their own hands; and presently 'tis added, that he is as much bound who 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, writes with his own hand, (whence are all those three words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,) as he who 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hath entred an obligation in the court, or superscribed bills written by others, or hands and obligations, such as are mentioned in the Gospel, Luc. 16. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, take thy bill, that is, the obligation, (wherein he was bound to the Stewards Master,* 1.10 which being in the Stewards keeping he resto∣red to him) and by Chrysostome express'd by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to give bond. And to this kind of ob∣ligation, which is not done by any legal contract, but onely per chirographum, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, referre these words of S. Paul here, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. See P. Faber. Sem. 3. l.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  among 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.3

  toward 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  good deed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.5

  And for his leaving thee so injuriously, there may come advantage to thee thereby: it is very possible that he was by God's special providence thus permitted to run away from thee for a little while, that by the reformation and conversion now wrought on him by me, he may be an useful servant to thee for ever;
• * 1.6

  hast 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• † 1.7

  I pray thee Naì
• * 1.8

  his
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.10

  Y. 4. p 422. li. 7.