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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 1:19

“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.”

Study Summary

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — I say nothing of your owing me even your own self — the autograph (idiai cheiri — own hand) authenticates the promise with solemnity; this is Paul's personal bond. The assertion I will repay (apotisō) commits Paul's resources to settle the debt. The parenthetical reminder that Philemon owes Paul his very self (kai seauton) reverses the debtor-creditor dynamic: Philemon was spiritually bankrupt until Paul's ministry restored him; Paul's assumption of Onesimus's debt is repayment of an unpayable debt.

Community Reflections

1
Thomas Mueller (test user)1d ago
The power of prayer — Philemon 1

The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. 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.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let…

Read the note →
1
Elena Petrova (Test User)7h ago
The promise of restoration — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today, and forever.. God meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. The thread of…

Read the note →
1
Sofia Andrade (test user)7h ago
Wisdom for daily life — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. Their context of persecution gives these words a weight we often miss.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. 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.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. Now I understand why — it's…

Read the note →
1
Tobias van der Berg (test user)7h ago
The shepherd and the sheep — Philemon 1

His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. 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 meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is…

Read the note →

Philemon 1:19

“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.”

Study Summary

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — I say nothing of your owing me even your own self — the autograph (idiai cheiri — own hand) authenticates the promise with solemnity; this is Paul's personal bond. The assertion I will repay (apotisō) commits Paul's resources to settle the debt. The parenthetical reminder that Philemon owes Paul his very self (kai seauton) reverses the debtor-creditor dynamic: Philemon was spiritually bankrupt until Paul's ministry restored him; Paul's assumption of Onesimus's debt is repayment of an unpayable debt.

Community Reflections

1
Thomas Mueller (test user)1d ago
The power of prayer — Philemon 1

The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. 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.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let…

Read the note →
1
Elena Petrova (Test User)7h ago
The promise of restoration — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today, and forever.. God meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season of life. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. The contrast between human weakness and divine strength is so vivid in this passage. The thread of…

Read the note →
1
Sofia Andrade (test user)7h ago
Wisdom for daily life — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. Their context of persecution gives these words a weight we often miss.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. 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.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. Now I understand why — it's…

Read the note →
1
Tobias van der Berg (test user)7h ago
The shepherd and the sheep — Philemon 1

His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. 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 meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is…

Read the note →

Philemon 1:19

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — I say nothing of your owing me even your own self — the autograph (idiai cheiri — own hand) authenticates the promise with solemnity; this is Paul's personal bond. The assertion I will repay (apotisō) commits Paul's resources to settle the debt. The parenthetical reminder that Philemon owes Paul his very self (kai seauton) reverses the debtor-creditor dynamic: Philemon was spiritually bankrupt until Paul's ministry restored him; Paul's assumption of Onesimus's debt is repayment of an unpayable debt.