Thirdmill Study Bible

Notes on Philemon 1:8-10

Apostolic authority - Philemon 1:8

8 Though Paul had apostolic authority over Philemon, Onesimus and the church in Colossae (see note on Col. 1:1), he appealed to Philemon on a more foundational basis—God’s love in the gospel and the love it fosters between fellow believers.

Paul's long service of love - Philemon 1:9

9 an old man . . . a prisoner. Paul appeals to Philemon also on the basis of his long service of love to God’s people, even to the point of imprisonment (v1, 9).

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