Isaiah 60:1
ARISE, shine; for thy light is come,and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Containing The Old And New Testaments
in the
King James Version
Words of Christ in Red
We are Diligently Working to Format the Text According to this Translation But Have Not Finished
Please Consider This When Reading
The Epistle of Paul to
Philemon
Does Christian brotherly love really work, even in situations of extraordinary tension and difficulty? Will it work, for example, between a prominent slave owner and one of his runaway slaves? Paul has no doubt! He writes a "postcard" to Philemon his beloved brother and fellow worker, on behalf of Onesimus — a deserter, thief, and formerly worthless slave, but now Philemon's brother in Christ. With much tact and tenderness, Paul askes Philemon to receive Onesimus back with the same gentleness with which he would receive Paul himself. Any debt Onesimus owes, Paul promises to make good. Knowing Philemon, Paul is confident that brotherly love and forgiveness will carry the day.
Since this letter is addresses to Philemon in verse 1, it becomes known as Pros Philemona, "To Philemon." Like First and Second Timothy and Titus, it is addressed to an individual, but unlike the Pastoral Epistles, Philemon is also address to a family and a church (v.2).
Since this letter is addresses to Philemon in verse 1, it becomes known as Pros Philemona, "To Philemon." Like First and Second Timothy and Titus, it is addressed to an individual, but unlike the Pastoral Epistles, Philemon is also address to a family and a church (v.2).
- Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
- And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
- Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
- Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
- That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
- For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
- Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
- 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.
- I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
- Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
- Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
- Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
- But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
- For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
- 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?
- If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
- If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
- 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.
- Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
- Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
- But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
- There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
- Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.