Philemon 1

Paul, “a prisoner for Christ Jesus,” writes with Timothy to his “beloved fellow worker” Philemon, along with Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in his house. He begins by thanking God for Philemon’s love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and for the refreshment his love has brought to God’s people. Then Paul makes his appeal: though bold enough in Christ to command, he prefers to appeal “for love’s sake,” on behalf of “my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.” Onesimus, “formerly useless to you,” is now “indeed useful to you and to me,” and Paul is sending him back — “sending my very heart” — though he would gladly have kept him. He asks Philemon to receive Onesimus “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother,” welcoming him “as you would receive me.” In the letter’s gospel heart, Paul writes, “If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account... I will repay it,” while gently reminding Philemon that he owes Paul his “very self.” Confident of Philemon’s obedience and knowing he will “do even more than I say,” Paul asks him also to prepare a guest room, and closes with greetings from his companions — Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke — and a benediction of grace.