The life and work of St. Paul

THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. 629
less 1 not 'profitable,' and no Christian, but now truly profitable* and a good
Christian whom I send back to thee. Him that is the son of my bo-.vels, 3 whom I
should have preferred to retain about my own person that he may on thy behalf
minister to me in the bonds of the Gospel but without thy opinion I decided to do
nothing, that thy kindly deed may not be a matter of compulsion, but voluntary.
For perhaps on this account he was parted for a season, that thou mayst have him
back for ever, no longer as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved, especially
to me, but how far more to thee, both naturally and spiritually. If, then, thou
boldest me as a comrade, receive him like myself. But if he wronged thee in any
respect, or is in thy debt, set that down to me. I Paul write it with my own hand,
I will repay it 4 not to say to thee that thou owest me even thyself besides. Yes,
'
brother, may I profit '
by thee in the Lord. 5 Kefresh my heart in Christ. Confiding
in thy compliance I write to thee, knowing that even more than I say thou
wilt do. But further than this, prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that by means
of your prayers I shall be granted to you.
"
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, Marcus, Aristarchus,
Demas, Luke, my fellow-labourers.
" The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the spirit of you and yours."
1
oxp. Litotes; crat enim noxius (Bengel).
2 Ver. 11. There seems here, as Baur acutely observes, to be a double paronomasia,
which I have endeavoured to indicate. For Xpiorbs and Xpijorbs were confused with each
'
other, and the Christians did not dislike this. rov /conjyopov/iuVov q.uwc ovoVai-o?
Xpi)