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Philemon 1

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Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

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And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

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

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I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

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

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

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For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

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

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Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

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I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

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Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

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Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

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

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But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

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Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

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If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

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

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

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Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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

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But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

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There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

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Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.

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Philemon 1:13

“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”

Study Summary

I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel — Paul's personal preference (eboulomēn) to retain Onesimus is overridden by respect for Philemon's rights. The service (diakonē) Onesimus would render compensates for Philemon's inability to help Paul during captivity. The phrase on your behalf (hyper sou) makes Onesimus a proxy for Philemon's unavailable presence — a substitute grace. Yet Paul chooses not to claim this right, deferring to Philemon's will.

Community Reflections

1
Sarah Koenig (test user)1d ago
The character of God — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. God is faithful in every circumstance.. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the…

Read the note →
1
Michael van Berg (test user)7h ago
The light of the world — Philemon 1

The imagery here is agricultural — the original audience would have immediately understood the metaphor of sowing, waiting, and harvesting.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today, and forever.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance..…

Read the note →

Philemon 1:13

“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:”

Study Summary

I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel — Paul's personal preference (eboulomēn) to retain Onesimus is overridden by respect for Philemon's rights. The service (diakonē) Onesimus would render compensates for Philemon's inability to help Paul during captivity. The phrase on your behalf (hyper sou) makes Onesimus a proxy for Philemon's unavailable presence — a substitute grace. Yet Paul chooses not to claim this right, deferring to Philemon's will.

Community Reflections

1
Sarah Koenig (test user)1d ago
The character of God — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. God is faithful in every circumstance.. When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption, even in the darkest moments.. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the…

Read the note →
1
Michael van Berg (test user)7h ago
The light of the world — Philemon 1

The imagery here is agricultural — the original audience would have immediately understood the metaphor of sowing, waiting, and harvesting.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today, and forever.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance..…

Read the note →

Philemon 1:13

I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel — Paul's personal preference (eboulomēn) to retain Onesimus is overridden by respect for Philemon's rights. The service (diakonē) Onesimus would render compensates for Philemon's inability to help Paul during captivity. The phrase on your behalf (hyper sou) makes Onesimus a proxy for Philemon's unavailable presence — a substitute grace. Yet Paul chooses not to claim this right, deferring to Philemon's will.