^{10}Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἀρίσταρχος ὁ συναιχμάλωτός
10. The salutations to Philemon are sent from the same persons as to the
Colossians, except that in the former case the name of Jesus Justus is
omitted.
Ἀρίσταρχος] the Thessalonian. He had started with St Paul on his voyage
from Jerusalem to Rome, but probably had parted from the Apostle at Myra
(see _Philippians_ p. 33 sq.). If so, he must have rejoined him at Rome
at a later date. On this Aristarchus see _Philippians_ p. 10 and the
introduction to the Epistles to the Thessalonians. He would be well
known in proconsular Asia, which he had visited from time to time; Acts
xix. 29, xx. 4, xxvii. 2.
συναιχμάλωτός μου] In Philem. 23 this honourable title is withheld from
Aristarchus and given to Epaphras. In Rom. xvi. 7 St Paul’s kinsmen,
Andronicus and Junias, are so called. On the possibility of its
referring to a spiritual captivity or subjection see _Philippians_ p.
11. In favour of this meaning it may be urged, that, though St Paul as a
prisoner was truly a δέσμιος, he was not strictly an αἰχμάλωτος ‘a
prisoner of war’; nor could he have called himself so, except by a
confusion of the actual and metaphorical. If on the other hand
συναιχμάλωτος refers to a physical captivity, it cannot easily be
explained by any known fact. The incident in Acts xix. 29 is hardly
adequate. The most probable solution would be, that his relations with
St Paul in Rome excited suspicion and led to a temporary confinement.
Another possible hypothesis is that he voluntarily shared the Apostle’s
captivity by living with him.
Μάρκος] doubtless John Mark, who had been associated with St Paul in his
earlier missionary work; Acts xii. 25, xv. 37 sq. This commendatory
notice is especially interesting as being the first mention of him since
the separation some twelve years before, Acts xv. 39. In the later years
of the Apostle’s life he entirely effaced the unfavourable impression
left by his earlier desertion; 2 Tim. iv. 11 ἔστιν γάρ μοι εὔχρηστος εἰς
διακονίαν.
This notice is likewise important in two other respects. (1) Mark
appears here as commended to a church of proconsular _Asia_, and
intending to visit those parts. To the churches of this same region he
sends a salutation in 1 Pet. v. 13; and in this district apparently also
he is found some few years later than the present time, 2 Tim. iv. 11.
(2) Mark is now residing at _Rome_. His connexion with the metropolis
appears also from 1 Pet. v. 13, if Βαβυλῶν there (as seems most
probable) be rightly interpreted of Rome; and early tradition speaks of
his Gospel as having been written for the Romans (Iren. iii. 1. 1; comp.
Papias in Euseb. _H.E._ iii. 39).
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