Philemon 1:9

Love's sake. As a gifted leader, Paul does not command. In presenting the need and objective to be attained the apostle consistently appeals to all the nobler motives to which a genuine Christian would respond. Challenged with the right and nobler response, Paul’s co-workers bent every nerve and muscle to fulfill the apostle’s expectations. Thus, Philemon is here given an opportunity to serve rather than an occasion merely to respond to an order.

Beseech. Or, “appeal to.” The evidence of Paul’s love for both Onesimus and Philemon is repeatedly seen throughout this epistle. Not as someone superior, but as an equal, Paul appeals to Philemon for help in reconciling the problem of Onesimus’ status as a repentant Christian slave. Paul was confident that Philemon would appreciate this gracious approach to resolving the mutual problem.

Paul the aged. Paul’s exact age at the time cannot be determined. About 28 years had passed since the stoning of Stephen, at which time he was called neanias, “a young man” (see on Acts 7:58). Consequently, Paul was doubtless in his late fifties or early sixties when this epistle was written. For the date of Philemon see Vol. VI, p. 105. Because of his strenuous life the apostle was worn and tired, yet not so weary as to overlook matters of personal friendship. Some read “ambassador” instead of “aged” because they think Paul here parallels “an ambassador in bonds” (Ephesians 6:20). Linguistically and contextually, the reading “ambassador” is unconvincing.

Prisoner of Jesus Christ. See on v. 1.