Darby Bible
Philemon 1:16
16not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in [the] flesh and in [the] Lord?
Philemon 1:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
- New International Version (NIV)no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
- English Standard Version (ESV)no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
- New King James Version (NKJV)no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Context of Philemon 1:16
14but I have wished to do nothing without thy mind, that thy good might not be as of necessity but of willingness: 15for perhaps for this reason he has been separated [from thee] for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever; not any longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, specially to me, and how much rather to thee, both in [the] flesh and in [the] Lord? 17If therefore thou holdest me to be a partner [with thee], receive him as me; 18but if he have wronged thee anything or owe anything [to thee], put this to my account.
Read all of Philemon 1Philemon 1:16 word by word
οὐκέτι ὡς δοῦλον ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὲρ δοῦλον, ἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν, μάλιστα ἐμοί, πόσῳ δὲ μᾶλλον σοὶ καὶ ἐν σαρκὶ καὶ ἐν κυρίῳ;Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Philemon 1:16
- Matthew 23:8But ye, be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your instructor, and all ye are brethren.
- Acts 9:17And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with [the] Holy Spirit.
- Galatians 4:28But ye, brethren, after the pattern of Isaac, are children of promise.
- 1 Timothy 6:2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them] because they are brethren; but let them the rather serve them with subjection, because they are faithful and beloved, who profit by the good and ready service [rendered]. These things teach and exhort.
- Hebrews 3:1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of [the] heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus,
- 1 Peter 1:22Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth to unfeigned brotherly love, love one another out of a pure heart fervently;
- 1 John 5:1Every one that believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten of God; and every one that loves him that has begotten loves also him that is begotten of him.
- Ephesians 6:5Bondmen, obey masters according to flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as to the Christ;
- Colossians 3:22Bondmen, obey in all things your masters according to flesh; not with eye-services, as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Commentaries on Philemon 1:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Not now as a servant? - Do not receive him merely as thy slave, nor treat him according to that condition; but as a brother - as a genuine Christian, and particularly dear to me. Both in the flesh and in the Lord? - There is no reason to believe that Onesimus was of the kindred of Philemon; and we must take the term flesh, here, as referring to the right which Philemon had in him. He was a part of his property and of his family; as a slave, this was his…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Not now as a servant - The adverb rendered “not now” ( ̓́ ouketi), means “no more, no further, no longer.” It implies that he had been before in this condition, but was not to be now; compare Matthew 19:6, “They are no more twain.” They were once so, but they are not to be regarded as such now; Matthew 22:46, “Neither durst any man, from that day forth ask him any more questions.” They once did it, but now they did not dare to do it; Luke 15:19, “And am…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Even though Onesimus was still legally Philemon’s slave, Philemon should consider him a beloved brother and care for his well-being. both in person and in the Lord: They were spiritual brothers in Christ so this should now change their entire relationship in both the natural and spiritual worlds.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. No longer as a mere servant or slave (though still he is that), but above a servant, so that thou shalt derive from him not merely the services of a slave, but higher benefits: a servant "in the flesh," he is a brother "in the Lord." beloved, specially to me--who am his spiritual father, and who have experienced his faithful attentions. Lest Philemon should dislike Onesimus being called "brother," Paul first recognizes him as a brother, being the…Read the comment
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Philemon 1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Darby Bible — 1889 — Public Domain
Commentaries