Philemon (JND) - Bible Truth Library

Thus Philemon, [Philemon ,] affectionate, or beloved, is "our dearly beloved;" Apphia, ([Apphia from appha,] the affectionate address of a brother or sister, according to Suidas,) is "the beloved sister," as several MSS., Vulgate, and others correctly read; Archippus, ([Archippos ,] the ruler of the horse, for the managing of which heros were anciently famous,) is "our fellow- soldier;" and Onesimus, ([Onesimos ,] useful or profitable,) once unprofitable, is now profitable.and fellow labourer.

Philem. 24• ²⁴Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workmen. (Philem. 24)

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1 Cor. 3:9• ⁹For we are God's fellow-workmen; ye are God's husbandry, God's building. (1 Cor. 3:9)

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Phil. 2:25• ²⁵but I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-workman and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and minister to my need, (Phil. 2:25)

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Phil. 4:3• ³yea, I ask thee also, true yokefellow, assist them, who have contended along with me in the glad tidings, with Clement also, and my other fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life. (Phil. 4:3)

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Col. 4:11• ¹¹and Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are the only fellow-workers for the kingdom of God who have been a consolation to me. (Col. 4:11)

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1 Thess. 3:2• ²and sent Timotheus, our brother and fellow-workman under God in the glad tidings of Christ, to confirm you and encourage you concerning your faith, (1 Thess. 3:2)

• It is exceedingly delightful to witness the progress of one, who having received the truth doctrinally, is led to connect it with Jesus in his own soul. (“Philemon” by J.L. Harris)

• Now I believe that many parts of scripture are neglected or slighted, because they do not appear to bear on doctrinal truth, while they are the exhibition of that very truth in living power. One such part of scripture is the Epistle to Philemon. (“Philemon” by J.L. Harris)

• In the Lord Jesus personally, we see the whole truth embodied and livingly presented—He is the truth. In the Apostle we see the blessed result of communion with the truth, and the presentation of the mind of Christ. (“Philemon” by J.L. Harris)

• In this he showed Philemon two things: first, that he was a sufferer, and not one who had maintained his place in the world by his confession of Christ; secondly, that all the irksomeness of his prison was removed, by his ability to see that men were only the hand of the Lord, so that he was content to be there, for he was the Lord's prisoner. (“Philemon” by J.L. Harris)

• It is a fine picture of the way in which the tenderness and the strength of the love of God, working in the heart, occupies itself with every detail wherein that love might be wounded, or that might be an occasion for its growth and manifestation. (“PHILEMON” by J.N. Darby)

• He would not put his request on the ground of his apostleship, lest he might bring in the force of authority, where all that would meet and reflect Christ in the matter must turn on the state and the willing answer of his heart to whom he was appealing in grace. (“Philemon” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-workmane,

JND Translation Notes

Or "our beloved and fellow-workman."

W. Kelly Translation

Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloveda and fellow-worker,

WK Translation Notes

Possibly "the beloved and our fellow-worker."