Philemon 1:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech [thee], being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But since I Sha’ul, am the kind of person I am, an old man and now for the Messiah Yeshua’s sake a prisoner besides, I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.

Berean Standard Bible:

I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.

American Standard Version:

yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Yet for^{G1223} love's^{G26} sake I^{G3870} rather^{G3123} beseech^{G3870} thee, being^{G5607} such an one^{G5108} as^{G5613} Paul^{G3972} the aged^{G4246}, and^{G1161} now^{G3570} also^{G2532} a prisoner^{G1198} of Jesus^{G2424} Christ^{G5547}.

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Commentary for Philemon 1:9

The verse Philemon 1:9 is part of the shortest of the Apostle Paul's letters, written to Philemon, a wealthy Christian living in Colossae. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early Christian network, where personal relationships and church communities often overlapped with issues of social status and slavery.

In this verse, Paul is making an appeal on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who had run away from Philemon and somehow encountered Paul, likely during his house arrest in Rome. Paul's approach is delicate and nuanced; he could have commanded Philemon to do the right thing, given his apostolic authority, but instead, he appeals on the basis of love ("for love's sake"). This reflects the Christian ethic of operating out of mutual affection and respect rather than coercion or hierarchy.

Paul describes himself as "Paul the aged," which suggests both the respect due to an elder and perhaps a sense of vulnerability or the weariness of his many trials and imprisonments. His self-identification as "a prisoner of Jesus Christ" underscores his dedication to the gospel and his willingness to suffer for it. This phrase also serves to remind Philemon of the spiritual bond they share as fellow believers in Christ, transcending the social distance between a free man and a prisoner.

The themes of this verse include the transformative power of Christian love, the redefinition of social relationships within the Christian community, and the humility and tact required in addressing sensitive issues such as slavery and personal rights. Paul's gentle request for Philemon to receive Onesimus, not just as a returned slave but as a beloved brother in Christ, speaks to the radical social reordering that Christianity was bringing to the ancient world. This verse encapsulates the essence of Paul's message to Philemon: to act in a manner consistent with the gospel, demonstrating the love and grace that Christ exemplified.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1223
   There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διά
   Transliteration: diá
   Pronunciation: dee-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
   
2. Strong's Number: G26
   There are 727 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀγάπη
   Transliteration: agápē
   Pronunciation: ag-ah'-pay
   Description: from ἀγαπάω; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3870
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παρακαλέω
   Transliteration: parakaléō
   Pronunciation: par-ak-al-eh'-o
   Description: from παρά and καλέω; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5607
   There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὤν
   Transliteration: ṓn
   Pronunciation: on
   Description: present participle of εἰμί; being:--be, come, have.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5108
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοιοῦτος
   Transliteration: toioûtos
   Pronunciation: toy-oo'-tos
   Description: (including the other inflections); from τοί and οὗτος; truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality):--like, such (an one).
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3972
   There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Παῦλος
   Transliteration: Paûlos
   Pronunciation: pow'-los
   Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4246
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρεσβύτης
   Transliteration: presbýtēs
   Pronunciation: pres-boo'-tace
   Description: from the same as πρεσβύτερος; an old man:--aged (man), old man.
   
10. 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).
    
11. Strong's Number: G3570
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: νυνί
    Transliteration: nyní
    Pronunciation: noo-nee'
    Description: a prolonged form of νῦν for emphasis; just now:--now.
    
12. 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.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1198
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέσμιος
    Transliteration: désmios
    Pronunciation: des'-mee-os
    Description: from δεσμόν; a captive (as bound):--in bonds, prisoner.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2424
    There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
    Transliteration: Iēsoûs
    Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
    
15. Strong's Number: G5547
    There are 530 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Χριστός
    Transliteration: Christós
    Pronunciation: khris-tos'
    Description: from χρίω; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.