Philemon 1:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Again he does not simply use his name, but adds a persuasive expression, one tenderer than the word "son." Thus he called him son when he said, "whom I have begotten."

He suggested that Onesimus must be loved especially because he was born amid temptations. It is known that we have a special love for children born amid dangers from which we have escaped.

Scripture bears witness to this when it says, "Ichabod" (1 Sam 4:21), and when Rachel calls Benjamin "son of my sorrow" (Gen 35:18).

"But receive him as my own heart." By this he expresses his great love for him. He did not say, Take him. He did not say, Do not be angry.

He said, "Receive him." That is, he is worthy not only of forgiveness, but also of honor. Why? Because he has become Paul's son.

That is, receive him with love. Or rather, receive not him, but my own heart, for thus I love him and bear him in my soul.

“Receive him, that is, my own heart.” In Onesimus the Apostle sends the fruit of his heartfelt love for Philemon. He wishes to test whether Philemon will prefer his rights as master, or renounce them out of attachment to the Apostle.

II. The proposal (Phlm 10-12). In it the Apostle sets forth the object of his request. Philemon is now to receive Onesimus, once a useless slave to him, as useful, indeed as the Apostle’s own heart, because he begot him in his bonds through baptism.

The exhortation to Philemon to receive Onesimus as Paul himself breathes the fullness of Christian love for mankind.

The Apostle did not keep Onesimus near himself for necessary services, though he was burdened in every way and therefore needed a servant's help.

In this one sees his great respect for the established order of social life. By this he gave an instructive example of fulfilling the laws of every righteousness confirmed by the proper authority.

"He is my son, begotten from my own heart. See the power of the Gospel: it made the servant equal to the master" (blessed Theodoret).

"The Apostle suggested to Philemon, as it were: stretch out your arms to him and press him to your heart."

"Again he does not simply use his name, but adds a most persuasive expression, one tenderer than the word 'son': 'my own heart.' By this he expresses his great love for him.

He did not say, Take him. He did not say, Do not be angry. He said, 'Receive him.' That is, he is worthy not only of forgiveness, but also of honor.

Why? Because he has become Paul's son" (St. Chrysostom). For by the words "my own heart," the Apostle wished to express: "He is my son, begotten from my own heart" (Theodoret).

"And by saying, 'Receive him,' he suggested: receive him with love" (Oecumenius). "Receive him," as if to say: stretch out your arms to him and press him to your heart.

"When you receive him, you receive not him, but my own heart. So much do I love him that I always carry him in my heart" (Theophylact).