Albert Barnes Commentary Philemon 1:10

"I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus," — Philemon 1:10 (ASV)

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus. That is, my son in the gospel; one to whom I sustain the relation of a spiritual father. (Compare to 1 Timothy 1:2).

The address and tact of Paul here are worthy of particular observation. Any other mode of bringing the case before the mind of Philemon might have repelled him. If he had simply said, "I beseech you for Onesimus," or, "I beseech you for your servant Onesimus," Philemon would at once have recalled his former conduct and remembered all his ingratitude and disobedience.

But the phrase "my son" makes the way easy for the mention of his name, for Paul had already found the way to Philemon's heart before Philemon's eye lighted on the name, by the mention of the relation which Onesimus sustained to Paul. Who could refuse such a man as Paul—a laborious servant of Christ, an aged man exhausted with his many sufferings and toils, and a prisoner—a request which he made for one whom he regarded as his son?

It may be added that the delicate address of the apostle in introducing the subject is better seen in the original than in our translation. In the original, the name Onesimus is reserved to come last in the sentence. The order of the Greek is this: "I entreat you concerning a son of mine, whom I have begotten in my bonds—Onesimus." Here the name is not suggested until Paul had mentioned that Onesimus sustained to him the relation of a son, and also until Paul had added that Onesimus's conversion was the fruit of Paul's own labours while he was a prisoner.

Then, when the name Onesimus is mentioned, it would occur to Philemon not primarily as the name of an ungrateful and disobedient servant, but as the interesting case of one converted by the labours of his own friend in prison. Was there ever more delicacy evinced in preparing the way for disarming one of prejudice and carrying an appeal to his heart?

Whom I have begotten in my bonds. This means one who has been converted by my efforts while I have been a prisoner. On the phrase "whom I have begotten," see 1 Corinthians 4:15. Nothing is said of the way in which Paul had become acquainted with Onesimus, or why Onesimus had put himself under the teaching of Paul. (See the Introduction, § 2. (3).)