Philemon 1:16 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… I. HERE NOTE THE SPIRITUAL KINDRED THAT IS BETWIXT TRUE CHRISTIANS. They are all brethren — brethren by the Father's side, having one Father, God the Father of spirits; brethren by the mother's side, lying in the same womb of the Church, having one and the self-same elder brother, Christ Jesus, begotten with the same spiritual seed; fed at the same table with the same nourishment. This brotherhood must far exceed the natural, even as God's fatherhood towards us far exceedeth the natural fatherhood among men. Look, then, what nature tieth natural brethren to, that doth grace much more the spiritual unto, as — 1. Amity and unity (Psalm 133:10). How, then, do they show themselves brethren that do bite, yea, and devour those that are of the same holy profession with themselves? Even as in the sea, the greater fishes swallow up the lesser. 2. It is the part of brethren to take one another's part, to cleave one to another, taking that which is done to their brother as done to themselves. 3. It is the property of a brother, though at other times he have been something more unkind to his brother; yet in his affliction and extremity, then to feel nature working in him, and to show and express his affection by doing his best (Proverbs 17:17). If we then will show ourselves true and natural sons of God, and so brethren to His children, when we see His honour ready to be trod under foot, when we see His children evil intreated, then is it high time for us to manifest our affection. II. Observe that this spiritual brotherhood is betwixt all Christians INDIFFERENTLY, WHATSOEVER DIFFERENCE THERE BE AMONGST THEM IN OUTWARD CIVIL RESPECTS, YET THEY ARE NOTHING PREJUDICIAL TO THIS SPIRITUAL FRATERNITY IN CHRIST: for here Philemon and Onesimus, the master and the servant, are made these kind of brethren. This doctrine is of special use, both for comfort to inferiors and for humiliation and moderation of mind to superiors, inasmuch as the servant is Christ's free man, and the master is Christ's servant. (D. Dyke, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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? |
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