Philemon

1The salutation. 4Paul declareth his joy in hearing of the love and faith of Philemon; 8earnestly entreating him to receive into his favour his once fugitive servant Onesimus, now become a faithful Christian. 22He desireth him to provide a lodging for himself, who was in expectation of a speedy release; 23and concludeth with salutations and a benediction.

1PAUL,^a a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and ^bTimothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and ^cfellowlabourer,

a Ac. 27.1; 28.16,17. Ep. 3.1,13; 4.1; 6.20. Phi. 1.7,13. Col. 4.3. 2Ti. 1.8. v.9. b Ac. 16.1. c Phi. 2.25.

2And to our beloved Apphia, and ^dArchippus our fellowsoldier, and to ^ethe church in thy house:

d Col. 4.17. Phi. 2.25. e Ro. 16.5. 1Co. 16.19. Col. 4.15.

3^fGrace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

f Ro. 1.7. 1Co. 1.3. 2Co. 1.2; 13.14. Ga. 1.3. Ep. 1.2. Phi. 1.2. Col. 1.2. 1Th. 1.1. 2Th. 1.2. 1Ti. 1.2. Tit. 1.4.

4^gI thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

g Ep. 1.16. Ro. 1.8,9. Phi. 1.3. Col. 1.3. 1Th. 1.2. 2Th. 1.3. 2Ti. 1.3.

5^hHearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

h Ep. 1.15. Col. 1.4. 1Th. 1.3. 2Th. 1.3. 2Ti. 1.5.

6That ⁱthe communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

i He. 13.16; 6.10; 10.24. Ro. 12.13. 2Co. 8.4; 9.13. Ja. 2.14,17. Phi. 4.8,14,15; 1.5,9-11. 2Pe. 1.5-8.

7^jFor we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because ^kthe ^*bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

*bowels-heart.

j 2Co. 7.4,13. 1Th. 3.7. 1Co. 16.18. 2Ti. 1.16. k v.20.

8Wherefore, though I might be much ^lbold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

l 1Th. 2.6.

9Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee , being such ^man one as Paul the aged, and now also a ⁿprisoner of Jesus Christ.

m 1Co. 15.8. n v.1,10. Ep. 3.1.

10I beseech thee for my son ^oOnesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

o Col. 4.9. 1Co. 4.15. Ga. 4.19.

11^pWhich in time past was ^qto thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

p 1Pe. 2.10. q v.18,16.

12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore ^rreceive him, that is, mine own ^*bowels:

*bowels-heart.

r Lu. 15.20. Phi. 1.8. Ro. 13.8-10. Ga. 6.1,2. Mat. 18.15,21,22,35.

13Whom I would have retained with me, that ^sin thy ^*stead he might have ministered unto me in ^tthe bonds of the gospel:

*stead-place.

s 1Co. 16.17. Phi. 2.30. t Phi. 1.13.

14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should ^unot be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

u 2Co. 9.7. 1Ch. 28.9; 29.9.

15For ^vperhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

v Ge. 45.5-8; 50.20. Ro. 8.28. 2Co. 4.17.

16^wNot now as a servant, but above a servant, ^xa brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

w 1Co. 7.22. Ep. 6.5. x Mat. 23.8. 1Ti. 6.2. He. 3.1; 13.1. Col. 1.2; 3.22. 1Co. 12.12,13,27.

17If thou count me therefore ^ya partner, receive him as myself.

y Ja. 2.5. 2Co. 8.23. Re. 1.9. He. 3.14. 1Jn. 1.3. 1Co. 12.12,15,27.

18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it : albeit I do not say to thee ^zhow thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

z Tit. 1.4. 1Ti. 1.2. 1Co. 4.15; 9.2. 2Co. 3.2.

20Yea, brother, ^alet me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my ^*bowels in the Lord.

*bowels-heart.

a v.7,12. Phi. 2.17,28. 1Th. 2.19,20; 3.7-9. 2Co. 7.4-7.

21^bHaving confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

b 2Co. 7.16.

22But ^*withal prepare me also a lodging: for ^cI trust that through your prayers I shall be ^dgiven unto you.

*withal-also.

c Phi. 1.25; 2.24. He. 13.23. 2Co. 1.11. Ac. 12.5. Ja. 5.16. d Ac. 28.30. Phi. 2.24.

23There salute thee ^eEpaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

e Col. 1.7; 4.12.

24^fMarcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

f Ac. 12.12,25. Col. 4.10,14. Ac. 19.29; 20.4; 27.2. 2Ti. 4.10,11.

25^gThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

g 2Ti. 4.22. Ga. 6.18. Ro. 16.20,24. 1Co. 16.23. 2Co. 13.14. Ep. 6.23,24. Phi. 4.23. Col. 4.18. 1Th. 5.18. 2Th. 3.18. 1Ti. 6.21. Tit. 3.15. He. 13.25. Re. 22.21.