1. Because the hearts of the saints have previously been refreshed by Philemon (7)
2. Paul could command Philemon what is fitting (8)
3. Philemon should comply with Paul's request for love's sake (9)
4. Paul based his appeal on his own station in the church (9)
5. Onesimus is one of Paul's spiritual children (10)
6. Formerly unprofitable, Onesimus will now be profitable to Philemon and Paul (11)
7. Paul is sending Onesimus back for Philemon to receive him as if he were Paul's own inward parts (12)
8. Paul really needed Onesimus but would not keep him without Philemon's consent (13,14)
9. Paul guarantees Onesimus will never run away again (15)
10. Onesimus is now Paul's and Philemon's brother in Christ (16)
11. Philemon should receive Onesimus as if he were Paul himself (17)
12. Paul is willing to make good anything that Onesimus owes Philemon (18,19)
13. Philemon's acceptance of Onesimus will refresh Paul's own heart (20)
14. Paul has confidence that Philemon will do even more than he commands (21)
[These arguments adapted from Matthew Henry's Commentary v. 6, pp. 710-713]
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