Philemon 1:17

17 Therefore if thou hast me a fellow, receive him as me;

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.

Philemon 1:17 In-Context

15 For peradventure therefore he departed from thee for a time, that thou shouldest receive him without end [that thou shouldest receive him into without end];

16 now not as a servant, but for a servant [but more than a servant] a most dear brother, most to me; and how much more to thee, both in [the] flesh and in the Lord?

17 Therefore if thou hast me a fellow, receive him as me;

18 for if he hath any thing harmed thee, either oweth, areckon thou this thing to me. [forsooth if he hath any thing harmed thee, or oweth, reckon thou this thing to me.]

19 I Paul wrote with mine hand, I shall yield; that I say not to thee, that also thou owest to me thyself.