Philemon 1:16 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: 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.

CSB: no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

NLT: He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

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?

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.

The opening phrase of this verse, "no longer as a slave," is essential to the letter. Onesimus held the status of a doulos, translated "bondservant" or "slave." He had run away and was now returning. Why should his status change? Onesimus had now become a follower of Jesus Christ (Philemon 1:10). Paul suggested that Philemon accept him back as more than a slave. What was "more than a slave" or "more than a bondservant"? Philemon was to accept Onesiumus as a brother in Christ. They were now brothers, not master and slave.

Paul's Greek wordplay also stands out in this verse. Onesimus was no longer a doulon (bondservant); he was an adelphon (brother). Some see this only as a call to forgive Onesimus. However, the request certainly appears to involve more than forgiveness, as will be seen in verses 17–19. Paul called Philemon to free Onesimus, not just to forgive him. Onesimus was now a brother in Christ to both Paul and "much more to" Philemon, since they would be together in person when Philemon read this letter.

Philemon 1:8–16 is Paul’s plea to Philemon that he would forgive and free the runaway slave Onesimus. Onesimus seems to have known Paul from his visits to Colossae, then encountered him in Rome after running away. After becoming a Christian, he returns to Philemon with this letter from Paul. Paul reminds Philemon that the three of them, including Onesimus, are brothers, and should be treated the same way.

Philemon is a letter from Paul, regarding a runaway slave named Onesimus. Paul respectfully requests that Philemon forgive his runaway slave, free him, and allow him to serve Christ without restrictions. Philemon was a prominent figure in the church of Colossae. Paul goes so far as to ask Philemon to charge any debts owed by Onesimus to Paul himself.

Philemon is short enough that it only contains a single chapter. Because Paul knows Philemon personally, and has only positive things to say about him, there is no need for a lengthy discussion. Paul appeals to Philemon to forgive and release his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus, a convert to Christianity, seems be the one sent to deliver this letter to his former master.

Philemon is one of the shorter books in the Bible, but it contains some important information. The Christian concept of slavery cannot be understood without a proper review of this letter. Paul recognizes the facts of slavery in his era, and does not command Philemon to release Onesimus. However, he does appeal to the unity we share in Christ as a reason for Philemon to set this man free.