Twenty - Philemon

Chapter 1

1:1  From Paul, now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, a Brother.

1:2  To our dear friend and fellow-worker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow-soldier Archippus; and to the Church that meets at Philemon's house;

1:3  May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace.

1:4  I always mention you in my prayers and thank God for you,

1:5  Because I hear of the love and the faith which you show, not only to the Lord Jesus, but also to all his People;

1:6  And I pray that your participation in the Faith may result in action, as you come to a fuller realization of everything that is good and Christlike in us.

1:7  I have indeed found great joy and encouragement in your love, knowing, as I do, how the hearts of Christ's People have been cheered, brother, by you.

1:8  And so, though my union with Christ enables me, with all confidence, to dictate the course that you should adopt,

1:9  Yet the claims of love make me prefer to plead with you--yes, even me, Paul, though I am an ambassador for Christ Jesus and, now a prisoner for him as well.

1:10  I plead with you for this Child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my parson, I have become a Father.

1:11  Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well;

1:12  And I am sending him back to you with this letter--though it is like tearing out of my very heart.

1:13  For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the Good News, he might attend to my wants on your behalf.

1:14  But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.

1:15  It may be that he was separated from you for an hour, for this very reason, that you might have him back for ever,

1:16  No longer as a slave, but as something better--a dearly loved Brother, especially dear to me, and how much more so to you, not only as your fellow man, but as your fellow Christian!

1:17  If, then, you count me your friend, receive him as you would me.

1:18  If he has caused you any loss, or owes you anything, charge it to me.

1:19  I, Paul, put my own hand to it--I will repay you myself. I say nothing about your owing me your very self.

1:20  Yes, Brother, let me gain something from you because of your union with the Lord. Cheer my heart by your Christlike spirit.

1:21  Even as I write, I have such confidence in your compliance with my wishes, that I am sure that you will do even more than I am asking.

1:22  Please also get a lodging ready for me, for I hope that I shall be given back to you all in answer to your prayers.

1:23  Epaphras, who is my fellow-prisoner for Christ Jesus, sends you his greeting;

1:24  And Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers, send theirs.

1:25  May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your souls.