Philemon 1:16

1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

KJV

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no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

1:17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

What does Philemon 1:16 mean?

Philemon 1:16 is a verse in the book of Philemon, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include ὡς (hos), δοῦλος (doulos), ἀλλά (alla). It connects to 13 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Not

nowG3765

asὡςhos/hoce/G5613probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.

servant,δοῦλοςdoulos/doo'-los/G1401from 1210; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant.

butἀλλάalla/al-lah'/G235neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.

aboveὑπέρhuper/hoop-er'/G5228a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.

brotherἀδελφόςadelphos/ad-el-fos'/G80from 1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1):--brother.

beloved,ἀγαπητόςagapetos/ag-ap-ay-tos'/G27from 25; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear.

speciallyμάλισταmalista/mal'-is-tah/G3122neuter plural of the superlative of an apparently primary adverb mala (very); (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly:--chiefly, most of all, (e-)specially.

me,ἐγώ ἐμόςemoi/em-oy'/G1698a prolonged form of 3427; to me:--I, me, mine, my.

butδέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

how

muchπόσοςposos/pos'-os/G4214from an absolute pos (who, what) and 3739; interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many):--how great (long, many), what.

moreμᾶλλονmallon/mal'-lon/G3123neuter of the comparative of the same as 3122; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:--+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.

unto

thee,σύsoi/soy/G4671dative case of 4771; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.

bothκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

inἐνen/en/G1722a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

the

flesh,σάρξsarx/sarx/G4561probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

the

Lord?κύριοςkurios/koo'-ree-os/G2962from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.

Commentary on Philemon 1:16

HENRY_FULL · Philemon 1:16

Philemon

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Corinthians 3:9

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. husbandry: or, tillage

2 Corinthians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Ephesians 3:1

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, of the Lord: or, in the Lord

Ephesians 6:20

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. in bonds: or, in a chain therein: or, thereof

Philippians 4:3

And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Colossians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

Colossians 4:11

And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

1 Thessalonians 3:2

And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

2 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 1:8

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Philemon 1:9

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:24

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

Topics

Employer Letters Master Masters Philemon Servants

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Philemon 1:16.

1 Corinthians 3:1

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:14

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

1 Corinthians 4:6

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

1 Corinthians 9:5

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? wife: or, woman

2 Corinthians 12:19

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

2 Corinthians 5:20

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 7:14

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

Acts 20:38

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Frequently asked questions

What does Philemon 1:16 say?

Philemon 1:16 (King James Version) reads: "Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?"

Is Philemon 1:16 in the Old or New Testament?

Philemon 1:16 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Philemon.

Reflect

As you read Philemon 1:16, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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