Philemon 1:10 I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: I. THAT MINISTERS MAY LOVE THEIR SONS WITH AN UNEQUAL LOVE, THEY MAY LOVE SOME MORE THAN OTHERS, as Christ did John above the rest of the disciples; namely, those in whom they behold a more lively image of Christ, and in the begetting of whom they had greater experience of God's power and mercy than in others. II. THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND TOGETHER WITH THE BODIES OF THE MINISTERS, for both these, namely, the Spirit and Word of God, were now effectual in the prison for Onesimus's conver sion. The adversaries then must not think that the restraining of the ministers and of the gospel will prove one work. The Earl of Derby's accusation in the Parliament House against M. Bradford was that he did more hurt (so he spake, calling good evil) by letters and conferences in prison than ever he did when he was abroad by preaching. III. PAUL SAYING THAT HE BEGOT HIM IN HIS BONDS, hence it is easy to gather that after, by speech had to and fro with him in the prison, he understood in what case he was, he presently wrought upon him, to bring him to a sight of his sin, and so to a godly sorrow for it. By which example ministers must learn that it is their duty, not only in their public meetings to seek men's conversion by their general preaching to all, but if at any time, by God's providence, they shall light upon any whom they see miserably to stray out of the ways of God, though it be in private places and companies, as Philip and the Eunuch in journeying, they are by all means possible, no just cause detaining them, to endeavour the conversion even of such, and to do the part of a good Samaritan towards them, whom they find so dangerously wounded by Satan. IV. But as all ministers are greedily to catch those occasions which God offers for furthering the salvation of their brethren, so ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO, BEING IMPRISONED, ARE RESTRAINED FROM THEIR PUBLIC PREACHING, that so by this means the want of their public sermons may in some measure be supplied. Now, how goodly a thing it is for ministers, even then when they are poorest, to make others rich (2 Corinthians 6:10), and when they are bound and captive, to make others free! (D. Dyke, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:WEB: I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, |
    |