I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
All Commentaries on Philemon 1:10 Go To Philemon 1
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
I beseech thee He at length tells Philemon what his request is, and names the person Onesimus, but in such terms as show how much St. Paul has this affair at heart, and that he will look upon the favour he asks as done to himself. It is, that you will pardon Onesimus, whom I look upon and love as my son, and a most dear son, whom I have begotten, a prisoner, and in my chains. (Witham)
How great is the ingenuity shown by St. Paul in this epistle, in obtaining for Onesimus the pardon of his master, Philemon. Having in the preceding verse endeavoured by every argument which a real tenderness and compassion could inspire, and making use of every expression that could conciliate the favour of Philemon, to obtain his charitable request, he in this verse for the first time dares mention Onesimus by name; a name which he was sensible must sound harsh in the ears of one who had received an injury from him. See how he endeavours to prevent so unhappy an effect, by adding to the name every epithet that could any way tend to soften all feelings of asperity, and excite compassion and pity. I beseech thee then for my son, whom I have begotten, and that in my chains. (Calmet)
The pardon I crave is not for your slave, but for my son. If in all antiquity there be any thing in the persuasive kind of eloquence truly admirable, it is this short epistle in which there are contained almost as many arguments as words.
