Phile 20-22 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 20. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord . "By showing me this favour in receiving, my friend and brother as I request." The phrase, "in the Lord," here seems to mean that, if this request was granted, he would recognise the hand of the Lord in it, and would receive it as a favour from him. Refresh my bowels in the Lord . The bowels, in the Scriptures, are uniformly spoken of as the seat of the affections--meaning commonly the upper viscera, embracing the heart and the lungs. . The reason is, that in any deep emotion this part of our frame is peculiarly affected, or we feel it there. Comp. Robinson's Lex. on the word σπλαγχνον. See this illustrated at length in Sir Charles Bell's "Anatomy of Expression," p. 85, seq. Ed. London, 1844. The idea here is, that Paul had such a tender affection for Onesimus as to give him great concern and uneasiness. The word rendered "refresh"--αναπαυσον--means to give rest to, to give repose, to free from sorrow or care; and the sense is, that by receiving Onesimus, Philemon would cause the deep and anxious feelings of Paul to cease, and he would be calm and happy. Comp. . (a) "refresh"

Philemon 20-22

Verse 20. Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord. "By showing me this favour in receiving, my friend and brother as I request." The phrase, "in the Lord," here seems to mean that, if this request was granted, he would recognise the hand of the Lord in it, and would receive it as a favour from him.

Refresh my bowels in the Lord. The bowels, in the Scriptures, are uniformly spoken of as the seat of the affections--meaning commonly the upper viscera, embracing the heart and the lungs. Isa 16:11. The reason is, that in any deep emotion this part of our frame is peculiarly affected, or we feel it there. Comp. Robinson's Lex. on the word σπλαγχνον. See this illustrated at length in Sir Charles Bell's "Anatomy of Expression," p. 85, seq. Ed. London, 1844. The idea here is, that Paul had such a tender affection for Onesimus as to give him great concern and uneasiness. The word rendered "refresh"--αναπαυσον--means to give rest to, to give repose, to free from sorrow or care; and the sense is, that by receiving Onesimus, Philemon would cause the deep and anxious feelings of Paul to cease, and he would be calm and happy. Comp. Phm 1:7.

(a) "refresh" Phm 1:7 Verse 21. Having confidence in thy obedience. That you would comply with all my expressed desires.

I wrote unto thee. "I have written to you;" to wit, in this epistle.

Knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. In all the respects which he had mentioned--in receiving Onesimus, and in his kind treatment of him. He had asked a great favour of him, but he knew that he would go even beyond what he had asked.

(b) "confidence" 2Cor 7:16 (+) "obedience" "compliance" Verse 22. But withal. Or, at the same time-- αμα. While you are granting this favour, do me also another by preparing a lodging for me.

Prepare me also a lodging. Philemon had been accustomed to show kindness to the saints (Phm 1:6,) and not improbably Paul had before shared his hospitality. The word rendered lodging (ξενια) means, properly, guest-right, hospitality, entertainment; and then, a place for a guest. Compare Acts 28:23.

For I trust. Paul had some hope of being released--an event which probably occurred. Php 1:25; Php 2:23, Php 2:24. Compare Introduction to 2Ti 1:1

Through your prayers. 2Cor 1:11. He expected release in answer to the petitions of those who loved him, and the cause in which he was engaged. Compare Acts 12:5.

I shall be given unto you. I shall be permitted to return to you, as a favour χαρισθησομαι. Paul had no doubt that Philemon would so regard it, and he had no apprehension that his abiding with him would be considered as a burden.

(++) "withal" "At the same time" (c) "I trust" Php 2:24 (d) "through your prayers" 2Cor 1:11