Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
John Calvin
17 If, therefore, thou holdest me to be thy associate. Here he lowers himself still further, by giving up his right and his honor to a runaway, and putting him in his own room, as he will shortly afterwards offer himself to be his cautioner. He reckoned it to be of vast importance that Onesimus should have a mild and gentle master, that immoderate severity might not drive him to despair. That is the object which Paul toils so earnestly to accomplish. And his example warns us how affectionately we ought to aid a sinner who has given us proof of his repentance. And if it is our duty to intercede for others, in order to obtain forgiveness for those who repent, much more should we ourselves treat them with kindness and gentleness.
18 If in any thing he hath done thee injury. Hence we may infer that Onesimus had likewise stolen something from his master, as was customary with fugitives; and yet he softens the criminality of the act, by adding, or if he oweth thee anything Not only was there a bond between them recognised by civil law, but the slave had become indebted to his master by the wrong which he had inflicted on him. So much the greater, therefore, was the kindness of Paul, who was even ready to give satisfaction for a crime.
19 Not to tell thee that thou owest to me thyself. By this expression he intended to describe how confidently he believes that he will obtain it; as if he had said, ``There is nothing that thou couldest refuse to give me, even though I should demand thyself.'' To the same purpose is what follows about lodging and other matters, as we shall immediately see.
There remains one question. How does Paul --- who, if he had not been aided by the churches, had not the means of living sparingly and frugally --- promise to pay money? Amidst such poverty and want this does certainly appear to be a ridiculous promise; but it is easy to see that, by this form of expression, Paul beseeches Philemon not to ask anything back from his slave. Though he does not speak ironically, yet, by an indirect figure, he requests him to blot out and cancel this account. The meaning, therefore, is --- ``I wish that thou shouldest not contend with thy slave, unless thou choosest to have me for thy debtor in his stead.'' For he immediately adds that Philemon is altogether his own; and he who claims the whole man as his property, need not give himself uneasiness about paying money.
Philemon 20-25 Philemon Verses 20-25 20. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
20. Certe frater, ego to fruar in Domino: refocilla mea viscera in Domino. 21. Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
21. Persuasus de tua obedientia scripsi tibi, sciens etiam, quod supra id, quod scribo, facturus sis.
22. But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.