Philemon 1

Greeting

1 This is Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and my bro Timothy.

2 Big ups to Apphia, our sister, Archippus, our fellow soldier, and the whole crew at your crib church.

3 Grace and peace to you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4 Philemon, every time I pray, I thank God for you,

5 Because I have been hearing about your love and faith, both in the Lord Jesus and for all the believers.

6 I pray that your faith in action will grow, so you can really understand every good thing we got in Christ.

7 Listen, your love brings me joy and comfort. You have refreshed the hearts of God’s people, and that is real.

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

8 Now, I could have just pulled rank in Christ and told you what to do,

9 but I would rather appeal to you out of love. It is Paul here, the old man locked up for Christ.

10 I am reaching out about Onesimus, my spiritual son, who I became a father to while I have been in these chains.

11 He used to be useless to you, but now he is useful to both of us.

12 I am sending him back to you, this is like sending a piece of my own heart.

13 I really wanted to keep him here with me, so he could help me out while I am locked up for preaching the gospel.

14 But I did not want to do it without your blessing, because I want your help to come from the heart, not because you felt forced.

15 Maybe this was God’s plan, Onesimus being separated from you for a minute so you could get him back forever,

16 not as a slave anymore, but as a beloved brother in Christ. He is family now, he means the world to me and should mean even more to you, both as a brother in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him like you would welcome me.

18 If he owes you anything or did you dirty, charge it to me.

19 I will pay it back, Paul’s writing this with my own hand. And by the way, do not forget you owe me your very self.

20 So, bro, do me this solid in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Confidence in Obedience

21 I am confident you will do what I am asking, and probably even more.

Final Greetings and Blessing

22 Oh, and get a room ready for me. I am hoping God answers your prayers, and I will be pulling up soon.

23 Shoutout to Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.

24 And love to Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my squad.

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.