THE
LETTER
OF
PAUL, THE DELEGATE,
TO
PHILEMON.
[WRITTEN FROM ROME, A. D. 62.]
PAUL (Latin:Paulos; little), a prisoner of Yeshua The Anointed, and Timotheos the brother, to Philemon the beloved, and our fellow-laborer; and to Apphia the beloved sister (Gk: adelphe, a sister); and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the congregation in your house: Favor to you, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Yeshua The Anointed.
4.–I give thanks to my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, (having heard of the faith, which you have toward the Lord Yeshua, and of your love (agape) to all the holy ones,)–that the partnership of your faith may become active by the acknowledgment of every good thing that is among us toward The Anointed Yeshua. For we have much joy and comfort in our love (agape); because the souls (Lit:spleen) of the holy ones are refreshed by you, brother.
8 Therefore, though I might have confidence in The Anointed to command you to do what is proper; yet, for the sake of love (agape), I rather implore, being such a one as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Yeshua The Anointed. I implore you for my son Onesimus, whom I have born in my bonds; who formerly was unprofitable to you, but now will be very profitable to you, even as he has been to me. I have sent him back to you: as an object of my tenderest affection; whom I desired to detained with myself, that, in your behalf, he might have ministered to me, in these bonds for The Good News.
14 But without your consent I would do nothing, that the good derived might not be as if by constraint, but voluntary. Perhaps also, for this reason he was separated for a little while, that you might have him forever: no longer as a slave only, but above a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me;–and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord!
17 If, then, you hold me as a partner, receive him as myself. And if he has injured you in anything, or owes you, place it to my account. I, Paul, have written with my own hand–I will repay. I could say to you, that you owe to me even your own self. I implore you, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord;–refresh my tender affections for The Anointed’s sake. Having confidence in your obedience, I have written to you, knowing that you will even do more than I ask. But at the same time, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope, that through your prayers, I shall be granted to you. 23 These send you greetings: Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner for The Anointed Yeshua; Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers. The favor of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed be with your spirit