Philemon 1

Philemon 1:1

And fellowlabourer.

Our fellowlabourer in the Gospel, Bishop or Pastor of the Church at Colosse.

Philemon 1:2

And to our beloved Apphia.

And to his faithful consort, our beloved sister Apphia.

Philemon 1:6

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual, by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

My prayers are always for thee, that thy faith may ever shew itself to be sound and lively, by those good works which it shall produce; and that those charitable actions of thine may give effectual demonstration of the holy graces, that are in thee by the gift and inoperation of Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:10

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

I beseech thee in the behalf of Onesimus, who is now my convert; as whom, in my imprisonment, I have won to the faith of Christ:

Philemon 1:11

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Who, in times past, while he was thy servant, and an unbeliever, was belike, contrary to his name, utterly unprofitable; but now, upon his conversion, will make good that which his name imports, and prove profitable both to thee and me:

Philemon 1:12

Receive him, that is, mine own bowels.

Receive him therefore lovingly, whom I esteem as dear to me, as my own bowels.

Philemon 1:13

Bonds of the gospel.

In this durance and imprisonment, which I endure for the Gospel.

Philemon 1:16

Both in the flesh, and in the Lord.

How much more dear to thee; both in worldly or civil respects, and in spiritual!

Philemon 1:17

If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

If thou count me worthy to be a partner of thy love and dearest respects, and wouldst shew favour to me if I were present with thee, do the same to him, whom I now hold as my other self.

Philemon 1:20

Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Do thou comfort and cheer me up in my spiritual joy, in the Lord: refresh me in the Lord: refresh me in these afflictions, which I suffer for Christ, in doing this kindness for my sake. t i 2