lectionary.com

Ordinary Time · Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year C

Philemon 1:9-10, 12-17

No Longer a Slave but a Beloved Brother

September 10, 2028

The Apostle Paul, Rembrandt van Rijn and Workshop
The Apostle Paul, Rembrandt van Rijn and Workshop, c. 1657National Gallery of Art, Washington, Widener Collection
Paul at a table with a manuscript and a sword, lit from one side, painted in the workshop manner that makes individual hands hard to separate.I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.Rembrandt van Rijn and WorkshopPainted in Rembrandt's studio with assistance from pupils, a normal practice in a workshop that trained dozens.National Gallery of Art, Washington, Widener CollectionFounded on Andrew Mellon's collection and his insistence that it carry no one's name, and free to the public by law.National Gallery of Art, Washington, Widener Collection
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 14:25-33Lk 14:25-33
Second ReadingPhlm. 1:9-10, 12-17Phlm 1:9-10, 12-17
First ReadingWis. 9:13-18bWis 9:13-18b
Responsorial PsalmPs. 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14+17 (1)Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14+17 (1)

Overview & Insights

"No longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother." (Philemon 1:16)

Paul appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who became Paul's spiritual son in prison, asking Philemon to receive him back not as property but as a brother in Christ.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Philemon 1:9-10, 12-17

Commentary

Philemon 1:9 CommentariesPhlm 1:9 Commentaries BibleHub

Collects classic commentaries on Paul's appeal for Onesimus.

Philemon CommentaryPhlm Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Walks through Paul's short, personal letter verse by verse.

Philemon Commentaries & SermonsPhlm Commentaries & Sermons Precept Austin

Indexes further conservative expositors on this short letter.

Philemon 1 (Barnes' Notes)Phlm 1 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Gives Albert Barnes' verse-by-verse notes on the letter.

Philemon 1 (Gill's Exposition)Phlm 1 (Gill's Exposition) StudyLight

Adds John Gill's older Reformed reading of the same letter.

Philemon 1:9-10Phlm 1:9-10 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An accessible verse-by-verse commentary, widely used across evangelical churches.

Background & Word Study

Philemon 1:9 InterlinearPhlm 1:9 Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Greek word by word for Paul's appeal on Onesimus's behalf.

Philemon OverviewPhlm Overview BibleProject

Explains the letter's place in the story of Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus.

The Church Fathers

Philemon 1 CatenaPhlm 1 Catena Catena

Gathers patristic comments on the letter verse by verse.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 14:25-33
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.