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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 1:6

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

Study Summary

And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the knowledge of all the good that is being done through us for Christ — the petition (deomai) asks that Philemon's faith-sharing (koinōnia tēs pisteōs) become energetic (energēs) through experiential knowledge (epignōsis) of the good accomplished in Christian community. The phrase good being done through us hints at the forthcoming request — that Philemon participate in the gospel's redemptive work through his treatment of Onesimus. Faith becomes concrete and powerful through costly action.

Community Reflections

1
Yuki Tanaka (Test User)1d ago
The covenant promise — Philemon 1

Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God…

Read the note →
1
Yuki Tanaka (Test User)7h ago
Strength in weakness — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. Their context of persecution gives these words a weight we often miss.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Reading the Psalms alongside this gives a fuller picture of what the author was experiencing — both the anguish and the hope.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. God is faithful in every circumstance.. 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.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us…

Read the note →

Philemon 1:6

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

Study Summary

And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the knowledge of all the good that is being done through us for Christ — the petition (deomai) asks that Philemon's faith-sharing (koinōnia tēs pisteōs) become energetic (energēs) through experiential knowledge (epignōsis) of the good accomplished in Christian community. The phrase good being done through us hints at the forthcoming request — that Philemon participate in the gospel's redemptive work through his treatment of Onesimus. Faith becomes concrete and powerful through costly action.

Community Reflections

1
Yuki Tanaka (Test User)1d ago
The covenant promise — Philemon 1

Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. Faith isn't the absence of doubt — it's choosing to believe despite it.. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us to feel the emphasis, to let the truth sink deep into our hearts.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God…

Read the note →
1
Yuki Tanaka (Test User)7h ago
Strength in weakness — Philemon 1

God is faithful in every circumstance.. I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. Their context of persecution gives these words a weight we often miss.. The promise here is not conditional on our strength but on His character.. Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Reading the Psalms alongside this gives a fuller picture of what the author was experiencing — both the anguish and the hope.. This connects directly to the promise made to Abraham. God is faithful in every circumstance.. 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.. I notice the repetition here is deliberate — the author wants us…

Read the note →

Philemon 1:6

And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the knowledge of all the good that is being done through us for Christ — the petition (deomai) asks that Philemon's faith-sharing (koinōnia tēs pisteōs) become energetic (energēs) through experiential knowledge (epignōsis) of the good accomplished in Christian community. The phrase good being done through us hints at the forthcoming request — that Philemon participate in the gospel's redemptive work through his treatment of Onesimus. Faith becomes concrete and powerful through costly action.