SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:1
¶ Pablo, preso por causa de Cristo Jess, y el hermano Timoteo, a Filemn amado, y ayudador nuestro;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:1
Verse 1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ] It has already been noted, in the preface, that Paul was a prisoner at Rome when he wrote this epistle, and those to the Colossians and Philippians. But some think that the term prisoner does not sufficiently point out the apostle's state, and that the original word desmiov should be translated bound with a chain: this is certainly its meaning; and it shows us in some measure his circumstances-one arm was bound with a chain to the arm of the soldier to whose custody he had been delivered. It has also been remarked that Paul does not call himself an apostle here, because the letter was a letter of friendship, and on private concerns. But the MSS. are not entirely agreed on this subject. Two MSS. have doulov, a servant; the Codex Claromontanus and the Codex Sangermanensis, both in the Greek and Latin, have apostolov, apostle; and Cassiodourus has apostolov desmiov, Paul, an imprisoned apostle of Jesus Christ. They, however, generally agree in the omission of the word apostolov.
Unto Philemon our dearly beloved] There is a peculiarity in the use of proper names in this epistle which is not found in any other part of St. Paul's writings. The names to which we refer are Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus.
PHILEMON, filhmwn. Affectionate or beloved, from filhma, a kiss; this led the apostle to say: To Philemon our DEARLY BELOVED.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ , &c.] Not made a prisoner by Christ, though he was apprehended, laid hold on, and detained by Christ as a prisoner of hope, at his conversion; but this is not intended here: but he was a prisoner at Rome for the sake of Christ, on account of professing him, and preaching in his name; his bonds were for the sake of the Gospel of Christ; and therefore they are in this epistle called the bonds of the Gospel. He was not a prisoner for any capital crime, and therefore had no reason to be ashamed of his chain, nor was he; but rather gloried in it, as his taking this title and character to himself, and prefixing it to this epistle shows; and which he chooses to make use of rather than that of a servant of God, or an apostle of Christ, as he elsewhere does, that he might not by constraint, or authority, but by love, move the pity and compassion of Philemon to grant his request, and receive his servant; which, should he deny, would be to add affliction to his bonds: and that this is his view in the choice of this character, is manifest from ( Philemon 1:8,9) and Timothy our brother , not according to the flesh, or as being of the same country, for he was the countryman of neither of them; nor only on account of his being a regenerate than, born of God, a child of God, and of the same family; but chiefly because he was of the same function, was a minister of the Gospel: him the apostle joins with himself in the epistle, and so in the request, because he might be well known to Philemon, and be much respected by him; and to show that they were united in this affair, and both desired this favour of him; hoping that by their joint application it would be obtained: unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer : the name of Philemon is Greek; there was a Greek poet of this name, and a Greek historian that Pliny made use of in compiling his history: there is indeed mention made in the Jewish writings f3 , of a Rabbi whose name was wmylp , Philemo; but this our Philemon seems to have been an inhabitant of Colosse, and rather to have been a Gentile than a Jew; he was a rich and hospitable man, and greatly respected, and therefore here called, our dearly beloved; that is, dearly beloved by the apostle and Timothy, not only as being a believer, but as being also generous and useful in his station, and likewise as he was a minister of the Gospel; for so the next phrase, and fellow labourer, seems to import; for though such are sometimes said to be labourers and fellow helpers with the apostle, who assisted in carrying on the interest of Christ, with their purses, and prayers, and private conversation; yet as it is used in this same epistle, of such who were in the work of the ministry, ( Philemon 1:24) it is very probable it is so to be understood here: and now though these expressions of affection and respect were without dissimulation; nor were they mere compliments; yet the intention of them was to work upon the mind of Philemon, to reconcile him to his servant; suggesting, that as he had an interest in the affections of the apostle and others, this would be a means of establishing it, and would be acting agreeably to his character, as a minister of the Gospel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Faith in Christ, and love to him, should unite saints more closely tha any outward relation can unite the people of the world. Paul in his private prayers was particular in remembering his friends. We mus remember Christian friends much and often, as their cases may need bearing them in our thoughts, and upon our hearts, before our God Different sentiments and ways in what is not essential, must not make difference of affection, as to the truth. He inquired concerning his friends, as to the truth, growth, and fruitfulness of their graces their faith in Christ, and love to him, and to all the saints. The goo which Philemon did, was matter of joy and comfort to him and others who therefore desired that he would continue and abound in good fruits more and more, to God's honour.
Greek Textus Receptus
παυλος 3972 δεσμιος 1198 χριστου 5547 ιησου 2424 και 2532 τιμοθεος 5095 ο 3588 αδελφος 80 φιλημονι 5371 τω 3588 αγαπητω 27 και 2532 συνεργω 4904 ημων 2257
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. A prisoner of Jesus Christ (desmiov). A prisoner for Christ's sake. This is the only salutation in which Paul so styles himself. The word is appropriate to his confinement at Rome. Apostle would not have suited a private letter, and one in which Paul takes the ground of personal friendship and not of apostolic authority. A similar omission of the official title occurs in the Epistles to the Thessalonians and Philippians, and is accounted for on the similar ground of his affectionate relations with the Macedonian churches. Contrast the salutation to the Galatians.
Timothy, our brother. Lit., the brother. Timothy could not be called an apostle. He is distinctly excluded from this office in 2 Cor. i. 1; Col. i. 1; compare Philip. i. 1. In Philippians and Philemon, after the mention of Timothy the plural is dropped. In Col. it is maintained throughout the thanksgiving only. The title brother is used of Quartus, Rom. xvi. 23; Sosthenes, 1 Cor. i. 1; Apollos, 1 Corinthians xvi. 12.
Philemon. An inhabitant, and possibly a native of Colossae in Phrygia. The name figured in the beautiful Phrygian legend of Baucis and Philemon, related by Ovid ("Metamorphoses," viii., 626 sqq. See note on Acts xiv. 11). He was one of Paul's converts (ver. 19), and his labors in the Gospel at Colossae are attested by the title fellow-laborer, and illustrated by his placing his house at the disposal of the Colossian Christians for their meetings (ver. 2). The statements that he subsequently became bishop of Colossae and suffered martyrdom are legendary.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:1 {A prisoner of Christ Jesus} (desmios cristou iesou). As verse #9 and in #Eph 3:1; 4:1. Old adjective from desmos (bond, dew, to bind). Apparently used here on purpose rather than apostolos as more effective with Philemon and a more touching occasion of pride as Paul writes with his manacled right hand. {Timothy} (timoqeos). With Paul in Ephesus (#Ac 19:22) and probably known to Philemon. Associated with Paul also in I and II Thess., II Cor., Philipp., Col. {To Philemon} (Philmoni). A resident of Colossae and a convert of Paul's (verse #19), perhaps coming to Ephesus while Paul was there when his ministry had so much influence over the province of Asia (#Ac 19:9f., 26; 1Co 16:19). The name Philemon occurs in the legend of Baucis and Philemon (Ovid's _Metamorphoses_), but with no connection with the brother here. He was active in the church in Colossae ("our co-worker," sunerg"i hemwn) and was beloved (agapt"i) by Paul.
