Paul's Letter to Filemon: A Call to Grace and Forgiveness
Some six years before his execution in Rome, Paul sent a personal note to a friend in the church of Colossae called Philemon.
Philemon
1:1 Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother Philemon, our beloved helper,
1:2 And the beloved sister Apia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church that is in thy house:
1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4 I give thanks unto my God, always remembering thee in my prayers,
1:5 For I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
1:6 That the sharing of your faith may be effective in the knowledge of all the good that is in you through Jesus Christ.
1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love: for through thee, O brother, are the hearts of the saints comforted.
1:8 Wherefore, though I have great liberty in Christ to command thee that which is good in Christ,
1:9 But I pray thee for love, being as I am Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;
1:10 I pray thee for my son Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds,
1:11 Who was once unprofitable to thee: but now to thee and to me is it useful,
1:12 And I will send thee again, and thou shalt receive him as myself.
1:13 I would that I should keep him with me, that he might serve me in my bonds in thy stead for the gospel;
1:14 But I would not do anything without thy consent, that thy favor might not be of necessity, but of a willing nature.
1:15 For perhaps for this cause he departed from thee for a while, that thou mightest receive him for ever;
1:16 Not as a servant, but as more than a slave, as a brother beloved, most of all to me: but how much more to thee in the flesh, and in the Lord.
1:17 Wherefore, if thou have me for a companion, receive him as I have received him.
1:18 And if he hath hurt thee in any thing, or oweth thee, put it in mine hand.
1:19 I Paul write it by my hand, and I will pay it: for thou hast not said that thou owest me also even thyself.
1:20 Yea, brother, let me profit from thee in the Lord; comfort my heart in the Lord.
1:21 I have written unto thee, trusting in thy obedience, knowing that thou shalt do more than I say unto thee.
1:22 Prepare me also lodging: for I hope that by your prayers I will be granted unto you.
1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee,
1:24 Mark, and Aristarchus, and Demas, and Luke, my helpers.
1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
God through his word left us a clear message and it is about LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.
May God continue to bless you
May God continue to bless you
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