Letter About a Servant From the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2014, all rights reserved. Chapter 1 First, we'll show the Apostle Paul's letter to Philemon, and then I'll have some words. From the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version-- ___Philemon 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house, 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of your love and faith, that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints, 6 So that the communication of your faith will become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother. 8 So, though I might be quite bold in Christ to command you that which is convenient, 9 Yet for love's sake I rather ask you please, being Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I ask you please for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my shackles, 11 Who in the past was unprofitable to you, but now profitable to you and to me, 12 Whom I have sent back to you, therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels, 13 Whom I would have retained with me, so that instead of you he could have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel, 14 But without your mind I wouldn't do anything, so that your benefit wouldn't be because you had to, but willingly. 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, so that you'd receive him forever, 16 Not now as a servant, but more than a servant, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put that on my account, 19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it, although I don't say to you how you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord, refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you'll also do more than I say. 22 But also, prepare me also a lodging, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you. 23 Epaphras greets you, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Chapter 2 The Apostle Paul is with Timothy, and the letter is to Philemon, another Christian. Paul was arrested and put in prison for serving the Lord as an Apostle. I believe he was waiting in prison for his next court date. Paul addresses Philemon as his dearly beloved and fellow laborer. Paul sends grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul prays for Philemon and thanks God that Paul has heard about Philemon's love and faith. Paul has great joy and consolation regarding Philemon. Paul says he could be bold and command Philemon, but for love's sake, he would rather ask please, regarding his son Onesimus, whom Paul has begotten (spiritually) as the prisoner that Paul was. Before the conversion to Christ of Onesimus, the servant Onesimus was unprofitable to Philemon, and apparently ran off from Philemon. But now, after the conversion of Onesimus to Christianity, he was helpful to Paul. But Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, whom Paul would have been glad to keep with him, but not without Philemon's permission. Paul says to Philemon to please receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ, a fellow-Christian. Paul says if Onesimus has wronged Philemon, or owes him anything, Paul will repay it, but reminds Philemon that he owes Paul. Paul asks Philemon to give Paul joy and refresh him. Paul expects that Philemon will cooperate. Paul says, please prepare for him a place to stay when he visits Philemon, when God answers their prayers to send Paul to Philemon. Paul sends greeting from Epaphras, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Lucas, and sends the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says he could have used Onesimus' help, but he didn't want to do that without the permission of Philemon. They didn't have telephones back then. So Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon. Notice the very good manners of Paul, and his consideration for the rights of Philemon. Christians have good manners. We don't have a record of any response to Paul from Philemon. But God saw fit to include this letter of Paul in the Bible, so I figure it is beneficial for us to learn from Paul's letter to Philemon.