Ambrosiaster

Philemon was not ordained to any ecclesiastical office, but he was a worthy layman. Paul sends him a personal letter on behalf of his slave Onesimus, asking him not only to welcome Onesimus back but also to give thanks to God for him, because he would be recieving him not as a slave but as a most dear brother.

to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer. Although Philemon was not a clergyman, he was nevertheless concerned with the deeds of the Church because of his devotion, which is why Paul says that he shared in his labors.

Philemon was not a clergyman, he was nevertheless concerned with the needs of the church because of his devotion.

Paul claims that the human race has been blessed by both the Father and the Son. He indicates that the Son is not inferior to the Father when he calls him our Lord, and that the Father is not greater than the Son, when he calls him our God, because the Father will not truly be the Father unless he is also Lord, and the Son will not truly be Lord unless he is also God. Com. on Gal

It is clear that Paul says he is happy because Philemon was providing for the needs of the saints. For this is certain that Philemon will obey his requests since it is clear that he is of higher rank.

Though Paul is writing to a layman, he nonetheless does not exert his apostolic authority in order to issue orders but respects Philemon as a faithful Christian and of the same age, one who is bound to Christ as he is.

Within reason, the master was perfectly entitled on the basis of his apostolic authority to tell his disciple what to do, but because Philemon was a good man, Paul makes an appeal.

Paul makes an appeal for him. Philemon was about the same age as Paul and also a 'prisoner' of Jesus Christ, which means that he was obliged to do the Lord's buisness or even subject to imprisonment on account of the name of Christ, as the apostles themselves also were.

During his imprisonment in Rome, the apostle had baptized Onesimus, a runaway who had fled to God for help, because he saw Onesimus's potential.

Onesimus had been transformed from being uselss to being useful in both secular and divine affairs.

Paul humbled him by saying that Onesimus was his brother both in the flesh and in the Lord, for once the issue of human subjection is removed, we are all of the same Adam and ought to recognize ourselves as brothers, particularly when faith, which takes all pride away, unites us.

This was meant to frighten Philemon into at least taking him back, if he could not be persuaded to do so out of love.

Paul now removes the excuse for anger, just in case it turned out that he had been so hurt by Onesimus that he would find it impossible to forgive him.

It is usually the case that if someone thinks he is well thought of he will perform better than expected.

In order to make Philemon more concerned and more willing to obey, Paul indicates that he will be coming to visit him, for those who are absent are usually ignored. Why should the apostle have refused to go there, when he was always suffering trials and afflictions, beatings, persecutions and imprisonment, and who had no rest other than in Christ? But Paul offered his flesh to suffering for the benefit of believers, in order to obtain immortal crowns for his soul and body. That way the enemies of Christ would be confounded and God's glory would be increased.

Paul bears witness that all these share in his glory.

This is the apostle's signature to show that it was written by him.