Greetings from Paul and Timothy
(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, Col 1:1Eph 3:1Phm 1:9Php 2:251Co 3:91Th 3:22Co 1:12Ti 1:8
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your 1house: Php 2:25Col 4:17Rom 16:5Col 4:151Co 16:192Ti 2:3-4
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 1:7Eph 1:22Co 13:14
Philemon’s Faith and Love
I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers, Rom 1:8Eph 1:16Col 1:3Php 1:31Th 1:22Th 1:32Ti 1:3 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. Col 1:4Eph 1:151Co 16:11Jn 5:1-2Psa 16:31Jn 3:23Gal 5:6Phm 1:7 I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ. 2Pe 1:8Php 1:9-11Col 1:91Pe 1:5-8Mat 5:161Pe 2:122Co 9:12-14Jas 2:14 I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. 2Co 7:131Th 3:92Co 7:41Th 2:193Jn 1:3-6Phm 1:202Jn 1:42Ti 1:16
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, 1Th 2:62Co 10:82Co 3:121Th 2:22Co 10:1-22Co 11:21Eph 5:4 I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well. 2Co 5:20Eph 4:1Rom 12:1Eph 3:1Phm 1:1-251Pe 2:112Co 6:1Heb 13:19
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, 2 whose father I became while I was in chains. Col 4:91Co 4:151Ti 1:2Gal 4:19Tit 1:42Sa 19:37-382Sa 18:52Sa 9:1-7 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 2Ti 4:11Job 30:1-21Pe 2:10Luk 15:32Luk 17:10Mat 25:30Rom 3:12Luk 15:24 I am sending back to you him who is my very heart. Mat 6:14-15Eph 4:32Luk 15:20Mrk 11:25Jer 31:20Mat 18:21-352Sa 16:11Deu 13:6
I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. Eph 3:1Php 1:71Co 16:17Eph 4:1Phm 1:1Php 2:30 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. 2Co 9:71Ch 29:171Pe 5:2-31Co 9:172Co 8:122Co 9:5Phm 1:8-92Co 1:24 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— Gen 50:20Gen 45:5-8Isa 20:6Act 4:28Psa 76:10 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord. Col 3:22Mat 23:81Co 7:221Ti 6:2Eph 6:5-71Pe 1:22-23Act 9:17Gal 4:28-29
So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 2Co 8:23Mat 10:40Phm 1:12Mat 18:5Act 16:15Eph 3:6Heb 3:1Jas 2:5 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. Isa 53:4-7 I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. Gal 6:111Co 16:21-22Gal 5:21Co 4:151Co 9:1-2Jas 5:19-201Ti 1:22Co 3:2
Yes, brother, let me have some benefit 3from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. Phm 1:73Jn 1:4Heb 13:17Phm 1:121Jn 3:171Th 2:19-201Th 3:7-92Co 2:2
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 2Th 3:42Co 2:32Co 7:162Co 8:22Gal 5:10
In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. 2Co 1:11Php 2:242Jn 1:12Act 28:23Jas 5:16Php 1:193Jn 1:14Heb 13:19
Additional Greetings
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, Col 1:7Col 4:12Rom 16:7Col 4:10 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 2Ti 4:10-11Col 4:10Col 4:14Act 12:12Act 15:37-39Act 19:29Act 12:25Act 27:2
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 4 2Ti 4:22Gal 6:18Rom 16:20Rom 16:23