Philemon 1:16

16 You could have him back not as a slave. Instead, he would be better than a slave. He would be a dear brother. He is very dear to me. But he is even more dear to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Philemon 1:16 Meaning and Commentary

Philemon 1:16

Not now as a servant
That is, not only as a servant, for a servant he was, and was to be received as such; his call by grace had not dissolved the civil relation that was between him and his master, though it had added to it something that was above it, and greater than it:

but above a servant;
in a higher condition, as the Arabic version renders it, than a servant; not barely considered in that relation, but as being in one much preferable to it:

a brother beloved, specially to me;
a brother in Christ, and to be beloved on that account, as he was especially by the apostle, who had been the instrument of his conversion; see ( Colossians 4:9 ) .

But how much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?
both in a natural and civil sense, as being of the same nation and country, and as being part of his family, his servant, and now become an useful and profitable one; and, in a spiritual sense, being in the Lord, belonging to the Lord Jesus, to that family which is named of him, being a fellow citizen with the saints, and of the household of God, and therefore must be doubly dear to him.

Philemon 1:16 In-Context

14 But I didn't want to do anything unless you agreed. Any favor you do must be done because you want to do it, not because you have to.

15 Onesimus was separated from you for a little while. Maybe that was so you could have him back for good.

16 You could have him back not as a slave. Instead, he would be better than a slave. He would be a dear brother. He is very dear to me. But he is even more dear to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 Do you think of me as a believer who works together with you? Then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me.

18 Has he done anything wrong to you? Does he owe you anything? Then charge it to me.