Timothy to Hebrews - The Preterist Archive

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262 Philemon, 8-10.
various opinions. lf,Y"P"' is genuine which; however, might through
the influence of ver. 4 be taken into the text, it cannot here denote
"gratitude," hut must rather he taken in the sense of t^pa, "enjoyment,
joy, pleasure," as remarked by Theophylact, We find elsewhere
xapfi 'ind 7rapdKXr]oig connected as here, 2 Cor, vii. 4, 13. We
may affirm more confidently that f^oxov or (including Timothy) toxontv
is to be read, pointing back to the time of the first account regarding
him. UapdKX'i]aig in reference to the condition of the apostle as prisoner.
'ETTi TQ dydnxi, comp. on the position of dydmj in ver. 4. The apostle
now gives the essential ground of his comfort and joy, viz, " because
the hearts of the saints are refreshed by thee, my brother !" On
onXdyxva comp. Phil. i. 8; 2 Cor. vi. 12, and below vers. 12, 20. On
dvaTTax'Eiv, refresh, so avaxpvxf^, 2 Tim. i. 16, comp. 1 Cor. xvi. 18;
2 Cor. vii. 13, and below ver. 20. De Wette : by the enjoyment of
thy benefactions which have put an end to their need and care.
Calvin : it is a great mistake to refer this to animal nourishment.
Meyer correctly remarks that the special instances of this ministry
of love are not adduced. " Brother"—an outgush of the heart in
remembrance of this kindness.
Vers. 8-12.—The apostle now passes to the object which has
dictated this letter ; he exhorts Philemon, from that principle of
love which has displayed itself so signally in him, to give to Onesimus,
whom he sends btick, a reception corresponding to the change
which he has experienced, and not to deal harshly with him for his
former offence.
Ver. 8.
Aid points back to ver. 7; in consequence of my joy,
etc., and belongs not to t\;wi' but to -apaKaXiov. Thus : therefore,
although I in Christ might have much confidence in enjoining on
thee what is becoming, for the sake of love I rather admonish thee.
UappTjoia confidence, given, viz. by his apostolic office, and resulting
from his fellowship with Christ. Luther strikingly remarks : he
renounces his own right to exercise compulsion, that he may constrain
Philemon to a like renunciation of his right. Calvin : "we
enjoin with authority that which we wish to wrest by necessity even
from those who are unwilling: * ^' * he teaches by his own example
that pastors are to seek gently to allure their disciples rather
than to draw them. And certainly while, stooping into entreat, he
waives his own prerogative, he is likely to accompli.sh far more than
by commanding." 'Emrdoonr, command : in contrast witli it is the
lapaKaXC) following. To dvTiKov general, "what is becoming";
Paul has in mind the proper reception of Onesimus: comp. F[)h.
V. 4; Col. iii. 18; Rom. i. 28; Tit. ii. 1.
Vers. 9, 10. Aid riiv dyd-7]i\ not the love of Philemon or Paul,
but love in general : that love, which with thee is so potent, may
attain its due. See Dc Wctte, Meyer, etc. Toiovrog u)v, k. r. A.