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?
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
2 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
δοῦλον
a servant
G1401
δοῦλον
a servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
3 of 20
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὑπὲρ
above
G5228
ὑπὲρ
above
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
5 of 20
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
δοῦλον
a servant
G1401
δοῦλον
a servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
6 of 20
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἀδελφὸν
a brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
a brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
7 of 20
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
μάλιστα
specially
G3122
μάλιστα
specially
Strong's:
G3122
Word #:
9 of 20
(adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly
πόσῳ
how much
G4214
πόσῳ
how much
Strong's:
G4214
Word #:
11 of 20
interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σαρκὶ
the flesh
G4561
σαρκὶ
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
17 of 20
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
Cross References
Colossians 3:22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:Matthew 23:8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.1 Corinthians 7:22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.1 Timothy 6:2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Historical Context
This verse is Christianity's time-bomb under slavery. If slaves are "beloved brothers," slavery's dehumanization becomes impossible to maintain. The equation ἐν σαρκὶ καὶ ἐν κυρίῳ (in flesh and in Lord) held together two realities: continued legal slavery (gradual social change) and present spiritual equality (immediate gospel truth). Eventually, gospel equality demanded social transformation—the abolitionist movement's biblical foundation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you relate to social "inferiors"—employees, service workers, marginalized people—as beloved brothers/sisters in Christ?
- What social hierarchies (class, race, education, wealth) do you allow to contradict gospel brotherhood?
- How does viewing others as "more than" their social role or function change your treatment of them?
Analysis & Commentary
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved—οὐκέτι ὡς δοῦλον ἀλλὰ ὑπὲρ δοῦλον (ouketi hōs doulon alla hyper doulon, no longer as a slave but above/more than a slave) ἀδελφὸν ἀγαπητόν (adelphon agapēton, a beloved brother). ὑπὲρ δοῦλον (hyper doulon, above/beyond slave)—not "instead of" (Paul doesn't explicitly demand manumission) but "more than/superior to" (the relationship transcends legal categories). ἀδελφός (adelphos, brother) is family language; ἀγαπητός (agapētos, beloved) intensifies it.
Specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?—μάλιστα ἐμοί, πόσῳ δὲ μᾶλλον σοὶ καὶ ἐν σαρκὶ καὶ ἐν κυρίῳ (malista emoi, posō de mallon soi kai en sarki kai en kyriō)—if Onesimus is beloved to Paul (mere spiritual connection), how much more to Philemon (employer and brother)? ἐν σαρκί (en sarki, in the flesh—earthly master-slave relation) καὶ ἐν κυρίῳ (kai en kyriō, and in the Lord—spiritual brother relation). Both relationships now coexist, with spiritual reality transforming earthly dynamics.