Paul the Aged (At 56) (Philemon 1:9-12)

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the World English Bible (a modernized version of the ASV).  Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations.  I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.


9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 

A.  Paul though he has the authority to make commands chooses a more powerful force to make his case, just as God did when he chose to send Jesus to die on the cross rather than force the human race to worship him.  In this way Paul gives a choice, which is love's way. Domination may bring the desired order, it will not be a willing one.
B.  Paul the aged.  This letter was written about 62 a.d..  Taking this into account would mean that Paul was in his mid-fifties when he wrote it, and since he was beheaded about four years after writing Philemon, a type of death he knew was coming, one could see why he would consider himself to be aged.  More so when one considers the technology and life span of the day.  The average life span of a Roman was only 25 years old (this being the average because 50% of children died before turning 10).  Those reaching 40 considered elders who often retired about that age. 

Sources: http://www.brlsi.org/events-proceedings/proceedings/25020
    http://www.innominatesociety.com/Articles/Death%20and%20Disease%20in%20Ancient%20Rome.htm

10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, 

A. Onesimus, whose name seems to be more of second name rather than his birth name in the fashion of Simon being renamed Peter.  The name has been debated, as most scholars are confident that his name means "Useful", while others have claimed it a slaves number, such as "Number One".  

B. Paul most likely converted him because Onesimus was in chains himself for a petty crime.  As he was a runaway slave it comes to reason to think he had stolen food or clothing for survival and ended up in the same area as Paul who saw every encounter with someone new as an opportunity to share the Gospel.  This is conjecture of course, but interesting to think on nonetheless.  

11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 

A.  Unprofitable not only because he ran away and ceased to generate income for Philemon, but also because Paul did not consider financial income to be profit.  He considered the economy of souls to be profit.  Onesimus becoming a believer not only brought spiritual profit to Philemon and Paul, but also an opportunity for Philemon to extend grace and mercy toward a man he in the flesh, before Jesus, would have most likely beaten within an inch of his life. 

12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

A.  Calling Onesimus his own heart was an intense statement by Paul, considering the terminology he used to describe each of the others addressed in his letter.  It does put Philemon in an awkward position, knowing that if he mistreats the runaway slave he is in fact openly insulting Paul.  Saying that Onesimus was Paul's heart could be construed as manipulation by Paul, which may have been the case to a certain degree, but it is most likely a sincere compliment by the apostle to show how important the issue was to him.  This way there was no mis-communication and Philemon understood full well how Paul felt.