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Philemon 1:22

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 1:22

Verse 22 of 25

Scripture focus

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Philemon 1:22 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Philemon 1:22

Theological / Devotional

Withal. Or, “at the same time,” that is, when Philemon gives his warm welcome to Onesimus.

Lodging. Paul here, unobtrusively, expresses his implicit confidence in Philemon’s good judgment regarding Onesimus. Only genuine friends, bound in mutual respect, would write as frankly regarding accommodations as Paul does here. Philemon would give Paul no occasion to lose faith in his integrity. Apparently, Paul had reason to expect an early release from prison. Tradition states that soon after this letter was written, Paul fulfilled his promise to visit Colossae (cf. Philippians 2:24; see Vol. VI, p. 30).

Trust. Or, “hope.”

Through your prayers. That is, prayers that were being offered up for his release, probably those of the entire church in Philemon’s house (v. 2) as well as the intercession of other church members scattered throughout Christendom.

Shall be given. Deeply conscious of his apostolic office, Paul feels the importance of his presence in the churches. Yet with noble humility he confesses that only their intercession would secure his release.

By SdaBc