{{ Introduction to Philemon 62-64 AD

            Paul writes this letter, not to a congregation(s) in an area but Philemon, the owner of a runaway bondservant, Onesimus. The non-Christian bondservant met Paul in Rome; Paul taught him the truth. He became a Christian and good friend of Paul. Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wants Philemon to treat this bondservant now like a brother in Christ. Paul even says he personally will compensate if need be. However, it is doubtful Philemon ever asked for it considering he was also taught the truth by Paul. As you will see, Paul is acting like Paul in this short letter. Verse 11 is word play by Paul. ‘Not useful’ and ‘useful’, (Onesimus is our transliteration for the Greek word ‘useful’). }}

             ^1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker, ^1:2 and to the beloved Apphia and to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the congregation^* in your house: ^1:3 grace to you^° and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

             ^1:4 I am always giving-thanks to my God, making^* a remembrance of you in my prayers, ^1:5 hearing of your love^* and the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the holy-ones; ^{1:6 *}that the fellowship of your faith might become effective in the full knowledge of every good thing, the good in us, to Christ Jesus. ^1:7 For^* we have much gratitude and comfort in your love^*, because the heart^* of the holy-ones has been given-rest through you, brother.

             ^1:8 Hence, I have much boldness in Christ to command you what is proper, ^1:9 but because of love^* I would rather encourage you, being such a one as Paul the elderly-man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ^1:10 I am encouraging you concerning my child, whom I fathered in my bonds, Onesimus, ^1:11 the one not useful to you previously, but who is useful to you now and to me, whom I sent back to you. ^1:12 But you, receive him, this is my heart^*, ^1:13 whom I was planning to hold here for myself, in-order-that he might serve me in the bonds of the good-news on your behalf. ^1:14 But I wished to do^* nothing without your viewpoint; in-order-that as your good deed may not be according-to necessity, but according-to your voluntary deed. ^1:15 For^* perhaps because of this, he was separated from you ^*for a short-time, in-order-that you may fully have him in the everlasting world; ^1:16 no longer as a bondservant, but beyond a bondservant, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how-much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. ^1:17 Therefore, if you have me like a partner, receive him like me. ^1:18 But if he wronged you in anything or owes you anything, charge this to my account. ^1:19 I, Paul, wrote this with my own hand. I will be compensating you; in-order-that I may not say to you, You are even owing yourself to me. ^1:20 Yes, brother, may I derive benefit from you in the Lord. Give-rest to my heart^* in the Lord.

             ^1:21 I wrote to you and have confidence in your obedience, knowing that you will be doing^* even beyond what I am saying. ^1:22 But also at the same-time, prepare me a lodging. For^* I am hoping that through your^° prayers I will be granted to you^°.

             ^1:23 Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, greets you; ^1:24 so do my fellow workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke.

             ^1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with your^° spirit. Amen.