Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philemon 1:17

"If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself." — Philemon 1:17 (ASV)

Now Paul uses a term from the business world. “Partner” (GK 3128; related to the NT word “fellowship,” GK 3126) here has the sense of “business partner.” No doubt Paul meant for the word to imply “fellowship” in the work of the risen Christ. Philemon is to “welcome” (GK 4689) Onesimus as he would welcome Paul himself (this word always has a positive meaning).