Philemon 1:17

17 Yf thou count me a felowe receave him as my selfe.

Philemon 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Philemon 1:17

If thou count me therefore a partner
A companion and friend, who reckon each other's affairs and interest their own: the word answers to (rbx) , a word often used in Talmudic writings, for an associate of the doctors or wise men: here it may mean also a partner both in grace, and in the ministry; one that shared in the same gifts and graces of the Spirit of God, and one that was to be a partaker of the inheritance with the saints in light: now if Philemon reckoned the apostle such an one, as he doubtless did, as being engaged in the same common cause, and a partaker of the same common faith, and interested in the same common salvation; then he entreats him on account of Onesimus, in the following manner,

receive him as myself;
intimating, that he was as dear to him as himself; that he loved him as his own soul; and that he should take whatever respect and affection were shown to him as done to himself; and that he would have him receive him into his house, his heart and affections, as he would receive him the apostle himself, should he come to him.

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Philemon 1:17 In-Context

15 Haply he therfore departed for a season yt thou shuldest receave him for ever
16 not nowe as a servaut: but above a servaunt I meane a brother beloved specially to me: but how moche more vnto the both in the flesshe and also in the Lorde?
17 Yf thou count me a felowe receave him as my selfe.
18 Yf he have hurt the or oweth the ought that laye to my charge.
19 I Paul have writte it with myne awne hode. I will recompence it. So that I do not saye to the howe that thou owest vnto me eve thyne awne silfe.
The Tyndale Bible is in the public domain.