John Calvin Commentary Philemon 1:9

"yet for love`s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:" — Philemon 1:9 (ASV)

Being such a one. He claims the right to command on two grounds: that he is an elder, and that he is a prisoner for Christ. He says that, because of Philemon’s love, he chooses rather to entreat. This is because we exercise authority when commanding those things we wish to obtain by necessity, even from the unwilling; but there is no need to command those who willingly obey.

And because those who are ready of their own accord to do their duty listen more willingly to a calm statement of what needs to be done than to the exercise of authority, Paul, with good reason, uses entreaty when he has to deal with an obedient man.

By his example, he shows that pastors should endeavor to draw disciples gently rather than drag them by force. Indeed, when, by condescending to entreaty, he foregoes his right, this has far greater power to obtain his wish than if he issued a command. Besides, he claims nothing for himself, but claims it in Christ—that is, on account of the office he has received from Him. For he does not mean that those whom Christ has appointed to be apostles lack authority.

What is proper. By adding this, he means that teachers do not have power to enact whatever they please. Instead, their authority is confined within these limits: they must not command anything but “what is proper” and what is, in other respects, consistent with each person’s duty.

Therefore (as I said a little earlier), pastors are reminded that the hearts of their people must be soothed with all possible gentleness whenever this method is likely to be more advantageous. Yet, it should also be understood that those who are treated so gently have no less required of them than what they ought to do.

The designation “elder,” here, denotes not age, but office. He calls himself an apostle for this reason: the person he is addressing, and with whom he speaks familiarly, is a fellow-laborer in the ministry of the word.