Filemón 1:17

17 Assim pois, se me tens por companheiro, recebe-o como a mim mesmo.

Filemón 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.

Filemón 1:17 In-Context

15 Porque bem pode ser que ele se tenha separado de ti por algum tempo, para que o recobrasses para sempre,

16 não já como escravo, antes mais do que escravo, como irmão amado, particularmente de mim, e quanto mais de ti, tanto na carne como também no Senhor.

17 Assim pois, se me tens por companheiro, recebe-o como a mim mesmo.

18 E, se te fez algum dano, ou te deve alguma coisa, lança-o minha conta.

19 Eu, Paulo, de meu próprio punho o escrevo, eu o pagarei, para não te dizer que ainda a ti mesmo a mim te deves.