Philemon 1:17 kjv

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

Philemon 1:17 nkjv

If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

Philemon 1:17 niv

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Philemon 1:17 esv

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

Philemon 1:17 nlt

So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 17 Meaning

Philemon 1:17 expresses Paul’s profound request to Philemon regarding Onesimus. It functions as a conditional appeal rooted in their shared fellowship in Christ. Paul asks Philemon, if he indeed considers Paul a partner in the gospel, to extend the same welcome, acceptance, and warm reception to Onesimus—a returning runaway slave who is now a brother in Christ—as he would personally extend to Paul himself. This plea is a direct call for reconciliation and Christian love that transcends societal distinctions, elevating Onesimus's status in Philemon's household and heart.

Philemon 1 17 Context

Philemon is one of Paul's shortest, most personal, and yet profoundly impactful letters, likely written around AD 60-62 during his first imprisonment in Rome. It addresses Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae (or possibly Laodicea, based on Col 4:16-17 parallels) who hosts a church in his home and is considered a "fellow worker" with Paul. The letter's primary purpose is to appeal to Philemon concerning his runaway slave, Onesimus, who had encountered Paul in Rome, become a Christian, and ministered to the apostle. Paul, now sending Onesimus back to Philemon, gently yet powerfully persuades Philemon to receive Onesimus not merely as a returned slave but as a "beloved brother" in the Lord. Verse 17 is the strategic hinge of Paul's appeal, leveraging his own deep bond with Philemon to secure the compassionate and Christ-honoring reception for Onesimus, moving beyond their former societal relationship to embrace a new spiritual brotherhood.

Philemon 1 17 Word analysis

• If then (εἰ οὖν, ei oun): This is a logical conditional clause. Ei introduces the condition ("if"), and oun reinforces the logical consequence ("therefore," "then"). It connects the request to the existing reality of Philemon's known relationship with Paul, setting up the foundation for the appeal.
• you count (ἔχεις, echeis): Literally "you have" or "you hold." Here, it carries the sense of regarding, reckoning, considering, or possessing something in terms of its value or quality. It highlights Philemon's estimation of Paul.
• me (με, me): Refers to Paul himself. By directly inserting himself, Paul puts his personal standing and the strength of their relationship into the request.
• as a partner (κοινωνόν, koinōnon): This is the direct object of Philemon's estimation. Koinōnon (from koinōnia) signifies a sharer, an associate, a companion, or one who participates together. In this context, it speaks of a spiritual partnership in the gospel, a fellowship and shared purpose that bound Paul and Philemon. It suggests deep mutuality and common investment in the Kingdom of God.
• receive (προσλαμβάνου, proslambanou): A present imperative verb, implying an ongoing command or immediate action of welcoming. Proslambanō means to take to oneself, to welcome heartily, to receive graciously into one's home or fellowship, or to accept. It goes beyond mere acknowledgment; it signifies a warm and open-hearted embrace.
• him (αὐτόν, auton): Refers directly to Onesimus, who is the subject of the entire letter's appeal.
• as you would receive (ὡς ἐμέ, hōs eme): Literally "as me" or "as I am received." The preposition hōs indicates comparison, equating Onesimus's desired reception with that of Paul's. This is the radical part of the request. Philemon, being a faithful partner to Paul, would naturally welcome the apostle warmly. Paul asks for that identical welcome to be extended to a former slave, elevating Onesimus to a place of immense honor and equality in their shared Christian fellowship.
• count me as a partner, receive him: This phrasing highlights the profound shift in status Paul is advocating. If their shared spiritual bond is real (Philemon as koinōnos with Paul), then its practical outworking should be evident in how Onesimus is treated. It connects the vertical (relationship with Paul in the gospel) to the horizontal (relationship with Onesimus in love).
• receive him as you would receive me: This is the heart of Paul's intercession. It is not merely asking for forgiveness but for full integration and honorable treatment. It appeals to Christian love and equality, placing Onesimus on par with an esteemed apostle in terms of reception, thereby transforming the former master-slave relationship into a profound brotherhood rooted in Christ. It also implies the full implications of forgiveness and restoration.

Philemon 1 17 Bonus section

The power of Philemon 1:17 lies in its skillful blend of personal appeal and implicit theological challenge. Paul, in not directly commanding Philemon as an apostle (though he asserts his authority earlier in the letter indirectly), strategically uses persuasion based on Christian love and partnership. This approach showcases Paul's wisdom in applying gospel principles to complex social situations without inciting open rebellion against existing structures. Instead, he demonstrates how the gospel internally transforms relationships, making external social reform a natural, albeit sometimes slow, consequence. The phrase "as you would receive me" can be seen as an extension of Paul's own understanding of unity in the Body of Christ; for believers, to reject one member is to diminish the entire body, including Paul's relationship with Philemon. Thus, the acceptance of Onesimus becomes a test of Philemon's Christian maturity and commitment to gospel partnership. The profound implication is that the dignity and worth of an individual are derived not from their social standing, but from their shared identity in Christ.

Philemon 1 17 Commentary

Philemon 1:17 encapsulates the essence of Paul’s appeal, weaving together theological truth and heartfelt persuasion. The verse is a powerful demonstration of how Christian relationships are to supersede societal norms and prejudices. By using the conditional "If then you count me as a partner," Paul does not question Philemon's loyalty but builds his argument upon an acknowledged, shared foundation of gospel fellowship (koinonia). This partnership is not just abstract but carries practical obligations. The audacious request to "receive him as you would receive me" elevates Onesimus's standing from a runaway slave, possibly a criminal, to an esteemed brother in Christ. It signifies a radical transformation of perspective and behavior. This instruction transcends simple forgiveness, advocating for an embrace that treats Onesimus with the honor and respect Philemon would show Paul himself. It reveals the core Christian principle that in Christ, traditional societal distinctions of master and slave are transcended by the spiritual reality of brotherhood, demanding love, acceptance, and reconciliation. The verse serves as a powerful model for believers to apply the values of forgiveness, equality, and unreserved love within their relationships, recognizing that the "least of these" are indeed Christ's own and partakers in His fellowship.

• Example 1: Forgive a family member who has offended, treating them not just with forgiveness but with the same affection and respect you would give a beloved spiritual leader.
• Example 2: Welcome a returning prodigal not with resentment but with celebration and full reintegration into the community, as if receiving a valued fellow worker in the faith.