Genuineness of the Epistle
Verse 1.—Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon, our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer.
PROF. HORATIO BALCH HACKETT, D. D., LL. D.—The date of this epistle may be fixed with much precision; it was written in the year 63, or early in 64. Nothing is wanting to confirm the genuineness of this epistle. The external testimony is unimpeachable. It is not quoted so often by the earlier Christian. Fathers as some of the other letters; its brevity, and the fact that its contents are not didactic or polemic, account for that omission. The Canon of Muratori, which comes to us from the second century, enumerates this as one of Paul's epistles. Tertullian mentions it, and says that Marcion admitted it into his collection. Origen and Eusebius include it among the universally acknowledged writings of the early Christian times. It is so well attested, historically, that, as Dr. Wette says, its genuineness on that ground is beyond doubt. It will be found also that all the historical allusions which the apostle makes to events in his own life, or to other persons with whom he was connected, harmonize perfectly with the statements or incidental intimations contained in the Acts of the Apostles, or other epistles of Paul.—Smith's Dict. of p. 2483.
DR. DODDRIDGE.—It is impossible to read over this admirable, epistle without being touched with the delicacy of sentiment and the masterly address that appear in every part of it. We see here, in a most striking light, how perfectly consistent true politeness is—not only with all the warmth and sincerity of a friend, but even with the dignity of the Christian and the apostle. And if this letter were to be considered in no other view than as a mere human composition, it must be allowed to be a masterpiece in its kind. As an illustration of this remark, it may not be improper to compare it with an epistle, of Pliny, that seems to have been written on a similar occasion; which, though penned by one that was reckoned to excel in the epistolary style, though it has undoubtedly many beauties, yet must be acknowledged by every impartial reader vastly inferior to this animated composition of the apostle.—In loco.
CAIUS PLINY to Sabinianus, Health,
Thy freedman, with whom thou didst say thou wert incensed, came to me, and having thrown himself at my feet, grasped them as if they had been thine. He wept much; he plead much; and yet pleaded more by his silence. In short, he fully convinced me that he was a penitent. I do sincerely believe that he is reformed, because he perceives that he has done wrong. I know that thou art incensed against him; and I know also that thou art justly so; but then clemency has its chief praise when there is the greatest cause for anger. Thou hast loved the man; and I hope that thou wilt, love him again. In the meantime it may suffice that thou dost suffer thyself to be entreated for him. It will be right for thee again to be offended if he deserves it; because, having allowed thyself to be entreated, you will do it with greater propriety.
Forgive something for his youth; forgive on account of his tears; forgive on account of thine own kindness: do not torment him; do not torment thyself-for thou wilt be tormented when thou, who art of so gentle a disposition, dost suffer thyself to be angry. I fear, if I should unite my prayers to his, that I should seem not to ask, but to compel. Yet I will write them, and the more largely and earnestly, too, as I have sharply and severely reproved him;, solemnly threatening him, should he offend again, never more to intercede for him. This I said, to him, because it was necessary to alarm him; but I will not say the-same to thee. For perhaps I may again entreat thee, and again obtain, if now that shall be done which it is fit that I should ask and you concede. Farewell.—Epistolar, lib. ix., ep. 21.
Onesimus Once a Slave
Verse 16.—Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved.
PROF. H. B. HACKETT, D. D., LL. D.—Onesimus was a native of Colossae in Phrygia. Slaves were numerous in that region, and the name itself of Phrygia was almost synonymous with that of slave. Hence it happened that in writing to the Colossians, Paul had occasion to instruct them concerning the duties of masters and servants to each other. Onesimus was one of this unfortunate class.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 2252.
Undesigned Coincidence
Verses 23, 24.—There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.
DR. WILLIAM PALEY.—As the letter to Philemon, and that to the Colossians, were written at the same time, and sent by the same messenger, the one to a particular inhabitant, the other to the church of Colosse, it may be expected that the same or nearly the same persons would be about St. Paul, and join with him, as was the practice, in the salutations of the epistle. Accordingly we find the name of Aristarchus, Marcus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas in both epistles. Timothy, who is joined with St. Paul in the superscription of the epistle to the Colossians, is joined with him in this. Tychicus did not salute Philemon, because he accompanied the epistle to Colosse, and would undoubtedly there see him.— Horœ Balance, c. XIII., No. 2.