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Philemon 1:20

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Philemon 1:20

Verse 20 of 25

Scripture focus

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Philemon 1:20 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Philemon 1:20

Theological / Devotional

Yea. Greek nai, a particle of confirmation (cf. Matthew 15:27; Romans 3:29; Revelation 14:13) which anticipates an affirmative reply to the request of Philemon 17.

Have joy. Greek oninemi, “to receive profit,” “to have joy,” from which the proper noun “Onesimus,” is derived (see on v. 10). This delicate situation is filled with benefits for all concerned. Each participant — Paul, Onesimus, Philemon — will derive immeasurable personal profit from a wholehearted, gracious reception of Onesimus at Colossae. Paul desires no material profit, only the joy of seeing two of his converts united in the bond of Christian fellowship. Not selfishness, but a loving desire to see a demonstration of Christian nobility among his own converts, here motivates Paul.

Refresh my bowels. See on vs. 7, 12. The minister’s highest joy consists in the manifestation of Christian principles among his converts.

In the Lord. That is, in a manner of which the Lord would approve.

By SdaBc