SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:17
Así que, si me tienes por compaero, recíbele como a mí.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Philemon 1:17
Verse 17. If thou count me therefore a partner] If thou dost consider me as a friend; if I have still the place of a friend in thy affection, receive him as myself; for, as I feel him as my own soul, in receiving him thou receivest me. There is a fine model of recommending a friend to the attention of a great man in the epistle of Horace to Claudius Nero, in behalf of his friend Septimius, Epistolar. lib. i., Ep. 9, which contains several strokes not unlike some of those in the Epistle to Philemon. It is written with much art; but is greatly exceeded by that of St. Paul. As it is very short I shall insert it:-Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus, Quanti me facias; nam cum rogat, et prece cogit Scilicet, ut tibi se laudare, et tradere coner, Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis, Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici; Quid possim videt, ac novit me valdius ipso.
Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem: Sed timui, mea ne finxisse minora putarer, Dissimulator opis propriae, mihi commodus uni.
Sic ego, majoris fugiens opprobria culpae, Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia.
Quod si Depositum laudas, ob amici jussa, pudorem; Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonumque.
"O Claudius Septimius alone knows what value thou hast for me; for he asks and earnestly entreats me to recommend him to thee, as a man worthy of the service and confidence of Nero, who is so correct a judge of merit.
When he imagines that I possess the honour of being one of thy most intimate friends, he sees and knows me more particularly than I do myself.
I said indeed many things to induce him to excuse me; but I feared lest I should be thought to dissemble my interest with thee, that I might reserve it all for my own advantage. Therefore, in order to shun the reproach of a greater fault, I have assumed all the consequence of a courtier, and have, at the request of my friend, laid aside becoming modesty; which if thou canst pardon, receive this man into the list of thy domestics, and believe him to be a person of probity and worth." This is not only greatly outdone by St. Paul, but also by a letter of Pliny to his friend Sabinianus, in behalf of his servant, who, by some means, had incurred his master's displeasure. See it at the conclusion of these notes.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. If thou count me therefore a partner , &c.] A companion and friend, who reckon each other's affairs and interest their own: the word answers to rbx , a word often used in Talmudic writings, for an associate of the doctors or wise men: here it may mean also a partner both in grace, and in the ministry; one that shared in the same gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and one that was to be a partaker of the inheritance with the saints in light: now if Philemon reckoned the apostle such an one, as he doubtless did, as being engaged in the same common cause, and a partaker of the same common faith, and interested in the same common salvation; then he entreats him on account of Onesimus, in the following manner, receive him as myself ; intimating, that he was as dear to him as himself; that he loved him as his own soul; and that he should take whatever respect and affection were shown to him as done to himself; and that he would have him receive him into his house, his heart and affections, as he would receive him the apostle himself, should he come to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-22 - When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evi of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God cover it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul upon his being awakened and brought to repentance; especially in case of injury done to others. The communion of saints does not destro distinction of property. This passage is an instance of that being imputed to one, which is contracted by another; and of one becomin answerable for another, by a voluntary engagement, that he might be freed from the punishment due to his crimes, according to the doctrin that Christ of his own will bore the punishment of our sins, that we might receive the reward of his righteousness. Philemon was Paul's so in the faith, yet he entreated him as a brother. Onesimus was a poor slave, yet Paul besought for him as if seeking some great thing for himself. Christians should do what may give joy to the hearts of on another. From the world they expect trouble; they should find comfor and joy in one another. When any of our mercies are taken away, ou trust and hope must be in God. We must diligently use the means, and i no other should be at hand, abound in prayer. Yet, though praye prevails, it does not merit the things obtained. And if Christians d not meet on earth, still the grace of the Lord Jesus will be with their spirits, and they will soon meet before the throne to join for ever in admiring the riches of redeeming love. The example of Onesimus ma encourage the vilest sinners to return to God, but it is shamefull prevented, if any are made bold thereby to persist in evil courses. Ar not many taken away in their sins, while others become more hardened Resist not present convictions, lest they return no more.
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 ουν 3767 εμε 1691 εχεις 2192 5719 κοινωνον 2844 προσλαβου 4355 5640 αυτον 846 ως 5613 εμε 1691
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Then (oun). Resumptive from ver. 12.Thou count (eceiv). Lit., hold, which is often used in this sense. Compare Luke xiv. 18, hold me or count me as excused Philip. ii. 29, hold such in reputation.
Partner. More than an intimate friend. One in Christian fellowship. 213
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:17 {If qen thou countest me a partner} (ei oun me echeis koin"non). As I assume that you do, condition of the first class. {Receive him as myself} (proslabou auton hws eme). "Take him to thyself (indirect second aorist middle of proslambanw as in #Ac 18:26) as myself." Surpassing delicacy and consummate tact. These words sound the death-knell of human slavery wherever the spirit of Christ is allowed to have its way. It has been a long and hard fight to break the shackles of human bondage even in Christian countries and there are still millions of slaves in pagan and Mohammedan lands. Paul wrote these words with wisdom and courage and sincerity.
