Philemon 1 · Verse 17

Philemon 1:17

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

Philemon 1:17 in other translations

BSBSo if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
WEBIf then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
ASVIf then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
YLTIf, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,
DARBYIf therefore thou holdest me to be a partner with thee, receive him as me;
BBEIf then you take me to be your friend and brother, take him in as myself.
WebsterIf thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

What does Philemon 1:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. a partner--in the Christian fellowship of faith, hope, and love. receive him as myself--resuming "receive him that is mine own bowels."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. If thou count me therefore a partner. The word rendered partner, (κοινωνος,) means a partaker, a companion. The idea in the word is that of having something in common (κοινος) with any one --as common principles; common attachments; a common interest in an enterprise; common hopes. It may be applied to those who hold the same principles of religion, and who have the same hope of heaven, the same views of things, etc. Here the meaning is, that if Philemon regarded Paul as sharing with him in the principles and hopes of religion, or as a brother in the gospel, so that he would receive him, he ought to receive Onesimus in the same way. He was actuated by the same principles, and had the same hopes, and had a claim to be received as a Christian brother. His receiving Onesimus would be interpreted by Paul as proof that he regarded him as a partaker of the hopes of the gospel, and as a companion and friend. For a plea in behalf of another, strongly resembling this, see Horace, Epis. Lib. 1, Ep. 9.

(a) "partner" 2Cor 8:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 If thou count me therefore a partner - If thou dost consider me as a friend; if I have still the place of a friend in thy affection, receive him as myself; for, as I feel him as my own soul, in receiving him thou receivest me. There is a fine model of recommending a friend to the attention of a great man in the epistle of Horace to Claudius Nero, in behalf of his friend Septimius, Epistolar. lib. i., Ep. 9, which contains several strokes not unlike some of those in the Epistle to Philemon. It is written with much art; but is greatly exceeded by that of St. Paul. As it is very short I shall insert it: - Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus, Quanti me facias; nam cum rogat, et prece cogit Scilicet, ut tibi se laudare, et tradere coner, Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis, Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici; Quid possim videt, ac novit me valdius ipso. Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem: Sed timui, mea ne finxisse minora putarer, Dissimulator opis propriae, mihi commodus uni. Sic ego, majoris fugiens opprobria culpae, Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quod si Depositum laudas, ob amici jussa, pudorem; Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonumque. "O Claudius Septimius alone knows what value thou hast for me; for he asks and earnestly entreats me to recommend him to thee, as a man worthy of the service and confidence of Nero, who is so correct a judge of merit. When he imagines that I possess the honor of being one of thy most intimate friends, he sees and knows me more particularly than I do myself. I said indeed many things to induce him to excuse me; but I feared lest I should be thought to dissemble my interest with thee, that I might reserve it all for my own advantage. Therefore, in order to shun the reproach of a greater fault, I have assumed all the consequence of a courtier, and have, at the request of my friend, laid aside becoming modesty; which if thou canst pardon, receive this man into the list of thy domestics, and believe him to be a person of probity and worth." This is not only greatly outdone by St. Paul, but also by a letter of Pliny to his friend Sabinianus, in behalf of his servant, who, by some means, had incurred his master's displeasure. See it at the conclusion of these notes (Plm 1:25 (note)).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Philemon 1:15-22

When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in a penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we. Such changed characters often become a blessing to all among whom they reside. Christianity does not do away our duties to others, but directs to the right doing of them. True penitents will be open in owning their faults, as doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul…

Read the full comment on Philemon 1:15-22 →

Philemon 1:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰeiIfG1487
οὖνounthereforeG3767
μεmemeG3165
ἔχειςecheisyou considerG2192
κοινωνόν,koinōnona partner,G2844
προσλαβοῦproslaboudo yourself receiveG4355
αὐτὸνautonhimG846
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἐμέ.ememe myself.G1473

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Philemon 1:17

  • 2 Corinthians 8:23

    Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

  • Matthew 10:40

    He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

  • Philemon 1:12

    Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

  • Matthew 18:5

    And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

  • Ephesians 3:6

    That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

  • Matthew 12:48-50

    But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

  • Hebrews 3:1

    Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  • Acts 16:15

    And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

  • 1 John 1:3

    That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

  • Hebrews 3:14

    For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
thou count.
Ac 16:15; 2Co 8:23; Eph 3:6; Php 1:7; 1Ti 6:2; Heb 3:1,14; Jas 2:5
1Pe 5:1; 1Jo 1:3
receive.
10,12; Mt 10:40; 12:48-50; 18:5; 25:40

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Philemon 1:16

    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?

  • Philemon 1:17

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

  • Philemon 1:18

    If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

Read all of Philemon 1

Philemon 1:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Así que, si me tienes por compañero, recíbele como á mí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Si donc tu me tiens pour associé à toi, reçois-le comme moi-même;
German
Elberfelder 1871
Wenn du mich nun für deinen Genossen hältst, so nimm ihn auf wie mich.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Si ergo habes me socium, suscipe illum sicut me: