Philemon 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother. How high a commendation is this of Philemon's bounty, that it afforded joy, not only to those who were relieved by it but also to the apostle who heard of it; that not only the indigent were supported by it in their necessities, but St. Paul also comforted by it in his imprisonment; that the tidings of it were so welcome to the apostle, that they made his chains fit easier upon him, and gave him consolation in his distress; that as the bowels of the saints were refreshed, so also the spirits of the apostle were revived, by the diffusive charity of this his proselyte, whom he might style his son, as having begotten him in Christ Jesus through the gospel, but whom he here styles his brother, that he might not seem to affect a superiority over him, but might place himself on the same level with him. How apt an introduction is this applause, given by St. Paul to Philemon, to that request, which he was now to usher in? Had he been so universally kind to all the faithful, and would not the same good disposition incline him to be kind to St. Paul? Had be by his charity towards the saints gained so great a reputation, and would he forfeit his character by an unkind repulse of the apostle's request? Had the apostle found so much joy and consolation from the report of his charity towards those who were strangers to St. Paul, and would he not contribute to his pleasure and comfort, by being merciful and kind to Onesimus, for whom the apostle was so nearly and affectionately concerned. (Bp. Smalridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. |
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