King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Complete Jewish Bible:
no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. And that he is, especially to me. But how much dearer he must be to you, both humanly and in union with the Lord!
Berean Standard Bible:
no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
American Standard Version:
no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Not now{G3765} as{G5613} a servant{G1401}, but{G235} above{G5228} a servant{G1401}, a brother{G80} beloved{G27}, specially{G3122} to me{G1698}, but{G1161} how much{G4214} more{G3123} unto thee{G4671}, both{G2532} in{G1722} the flesh{G4561}, and{G2532} in{G1722} the Lord{G2962}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Colossians 3:22
- Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Matthew 23:8
- But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.
1 Corinthians 7:22
- For he that is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being] free, is Christ's servant.
1 Timothy 6:2
- And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them], because they are brethren; but rather do [them] service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Ephesians 6:5
- Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Ephesians 6:7
- With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
1 Peter 1:22
- Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:
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Commentary for Philemon 1:16
Philemon 1:16 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically from the epistle to Philemon, which is a letter written by the Apostle Paul. This verse is part of Paul's appeal to Philemon regarding Onesimus, who was Philemon's slave. In this verse, Paul is asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not merely as a slave ("servant" in some translations), but as a beloved brother in Christ.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the social structures of the Roman Empire, where slavery was a common and accepted institution. Slaves were considered property and had very few rights. Paul's letter to Philemon challenges the conventional social order by emphasizing the spiritual equality of all believers in Christ. By calling Onesimus a "brother beloved" and encouraging Philemon to see him as such, Paul is introducing a radical shift in perspective, suggesting that Christian fellowship transcends social status and that Onesimus should be treated with the love and respect due to a family member, both in earthly terms ("in the flesh") and in spiritual matters ("in the Lord").
The themes of this verse include the transformative power of the Gospel, which breaks down barriers between people and creates a new community based on mutual love and respect. It also touches on the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the application of Christian ethics within the harsh realities of contemporary social structures. Paul's personal connection to both Philemon and Onesimus adds weight to his appeal, as he emphasizes the special relationship he has with both men and the potential for an even deeper bond between them as fellow Christians. This verse encapsulates the early Christian struggle to balance the ideals of their faith with the practicalities of living within an unjust society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3765
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐκέτι
Transliteration: oukéti
Pronunciation: ook et'-ee
Description: from οὐ and ἔτι; not yet, no longer:--after that (not), (not) any more, henceforth (hereafter) not, no longer (more), not as yet (now), now no more (not), yet (not). - Strong's Number: G5613
There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὡς
Transliteration: hōs
Pronunciation: hoce
Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed. - Strong's Number: G1401
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δοῦλος
Transliteration: doûlos
Pronunciation: doo'-los
Description: from δέω; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant. - Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. - Strong's Number: G5228
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπέρ
Transliteration: hypér
Pronunciation: hoop-er'
Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications. - Strong's Number: G80
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδελφός
Transliteration: adelphós
Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother. - Strong's Number: G27
There are 698 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγαπητός
Transliteration: agapētós
Pronunciation: ag-ap-ay-tos'
Description: from ἀγαπάω; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear. - Strong's Number: G3122
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μάλιστα
Transliteration: málista
Pronunciation: mal'-is-tah
Description: neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb (very); (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly:--chiefly, most of all, (e-)specially. - Strong's Number: G1698
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμοί
Transliteration: emoí
Pronunciation: em-oy'
Description: a prolonged form of μοί; to me:--I, me, mine, my. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G4214
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πόσος
Transliteration: pósos
Pronunciation: pos'-os
Description: from an absolute (who, what) and ὅς; interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many):--how great (long, many), what. - Strong's Number: G3123
There are 81 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μᾶλλον
Transliteration: mâllon
Pronunciation: mal'-lon
Description: neuter of the comparative of the same as μάλιστα; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:--+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather. - Strong's Number: G4671
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοί
Transliteration: soí
Pronunciation: soy
Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G4561
There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σάρξ
Transliteration: sárx
Pronunciation: sarx
Description: probably from the base of σαρόω; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly). - Strong's Number: G2962
There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύριος
Transliteration: kýrios
Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.