8 And so, though I might, in the name of Christ, give you orders to do what is right, 9 Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus: 10 My request is for my child Onesimus, the child of my chains, 11 Who in the past was of no profit to you, but now is of profit to you and to me: 12 Whom I have sent back to you, him who is my very heart: 13 Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place: 14 But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philemon 1:8-14
Commentary on Philemon 1:8-14
(Read Philemon 1:8-14)
It does not lower any one to condescend, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in strictness of right, we might command: the apostle argues from love, rather than authority, in behalf of one converted through his means; and this was Onesimus. In allusion to that name, which signifies "profitable," the apostle allows that in time past he had been unprofitable to Philemon, but hastens to mention the change by which he had become profitable. Unholy persons are unprofitable; they answer not the great end of their being. But what happy changes conversion makes! of evil, good; of unprofitable, useful. Religious servants are treasures in a family. Such will make conscience of their time and trusts, and manage all they can for the best. No prospect of usefulness should lead any to neglect their obligations, or to fail in obedience to superiors. One great evidence of true repentance consists in returning to practise the duties which have been neglected. In his unconverted state, Onesimus had withdrawn, to his master's injury; but now he had seen his sin and repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty. Little do men know for what purposes the Lord leaves some to change their situations, or engage in undertakings, perhaps from evil motives. Had not the Lord overruled some of our ungodly projects, we may reflect upon cases, in which our destruction must have been sure.