1:1 | I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work-- |
1:2 | also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. |
1:3 | God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you! |
1:4 | Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!" |
1:5 | I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians. |
1:6 | And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. |
1:7 | Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers. |
1:8 | In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary, |
1:9 | but I'd rather make it a personal request. |
1:10 | While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter--Onesimus! |
1:11 | He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us. |
1:12 | I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so. |
1:13 | I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message. |
1:14 | But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to. |
1:15 | Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good-- |
1:16 | and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me--he'll be even more than that to you. |
1:17 | So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. |
1:18 | If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account. |
1:19 | This is my personal signature--Paul--and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?) |
1:20 | Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good. |
1:21 | I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written. |
1:22 | And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again. |
1:23 | Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello. |
1:24 | Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. |
1:25 | All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ! |