Philemon 1:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore he continues: "for love's sake I rather entreat." He speaks as if saying: From previous examples I know that even if I command with great authority, I shall succeed.

Yet since I am especially concerned for this matter, I entreat. Here he expresses both things at once: that he has confidence in him, and therefore "commands," and that he is especially concerned for this matter, and therefore "entreats."

"No one else," he says, "but I, Paul the elder." O how many persuasive proofs! "Paul" is a proof from the dignity of the person; "elder," from age; "prisoner of Jesus Christ," from the fact that he is more righteous than all.

Who would not receive with open arms a champion crowned for his struggles? Who, seeing one bound for Christ, would not render him a thousand services?

Being such an ambassador, he says, I ought fittingly to be heard, as befits Paul the elder, that is, one who has authority both by the dignity of teacher and by age. Now I have received another, more important advantage: my being in bonds for Christ. Do you see how many grounds for persuasion there are?

"Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love's sake I rather entreat." I could, says the Apostle, deal boldly with you as one fervent in faith and command by the right of a teacher.

But I do not do this. I address you with a request. Then, to the humility of what has been said, he adds majestic speech: "Being such a one as Paul the elder."

See who the petitioner is. The mere mention of his name is enough to inspire respect even in one extremely stubborn.

Whoever hears Paul hears the preacher of the whole world, the one who cultivated land and sea, the chosen vessel, and the rest, for whose enumeration thousands of tongues would be needed.

“Being such a one as Paul the elder.” Although the Apostle could have commanded by apostolic right, he prefers rather to ask Philemon for leniency toward Onesimus. In doing so he calls himself an elder. As some note, this is because Philemon also was an old man, and it is more fitting to ask old men than to compel them.

In the twenty-five verses of the apostolic Epistle to Philemon the following parts may be discerned.

I. The introduction (Phlm 1-9). After the customary greeting from himself and Timothy, and after wishing the grace and peace of God to Philemon, his fellow worker, and likewise to beloved Apphia and Archippus his fellow soldier, the holy Apostle Paul expresses his joy and thanksgiving to God.

He has heard of Philemon's labors of love and faith. On the basis of these virtues, he expresses confidence that he could boldly command him in whatever he wished. Yet, for love's sake, he wishes instead to address him with a certain request.

Philemon gave special joy to the believers by satisfying their essential needs. St. Paul the Apostle approaches him as if with a need of his own.

For this purpose he speaks of himself as a frail elder and also as an unfortunate prisoner, yet worthy of love and even obedience as a chief shepherd in Christ.

But he does not wish to use this great right. He prefers to make use of love, so that his joy may be fulfilled. In the name of these dear feelings, he makes the proposal that Philemon receive his slave Onesimus.

The Right Reverend Theophan writes: "St. Paul was in such living union with all believers that he received everything that happened to them as though it happened to him.

The second motive is love: "Yet for love's sake I rather entreat." "For the sake of the love with which I love you and by which I am loved by you" (Oecumenius).

I leave my authority behind. I turn to you with the face of love: brotherly, friendly, fatherly. Since the matter concerns love, who can plead for it more victoriously than love itself?

I set love before you as intercessor for my request. For its sake I ask. All other intercessors, that is, motives, are slow to attain success. Love acts swiftly and powerfully.

I employ it because I greatly desire success in my request. If you love me, and if you value my love, do as I ask.

St. Chrysostom writes: "The Apostle speaks as if saying: From earlier examples I know that, even if I command with great authority, I shall succeed.