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Thursday · Week 30
The Epistles & Revelation

Philemon

Week 30 · about 3 min
  1. Fri: Daniel 9-10
  2. Sat: Psalms 104-106
  3. Sun: Leviticus 24-25

Paul writes a short personal letter about Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a believer.

A Runaway Comes Home as a Brother

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Philemon 1:16 (KJV)

Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon, a believer in Colossae. He ran away, apparently met Paul in prison, and became a Christian. Now Paul sends him back with this letter. The name Onesimus means “useful,” and Paul makes a pun on it: once he was unprofitable to you, “but now profitable to thee and to me.” Paul could order Philemon to receive him, but he asks instead. Then he offers to cover the cost himself: “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.” The gospel changes relationships, even between a master and the slave who ran away.

Reflect: Is there a broken relationship where you could say “put that on mine account”?

Philemon 1

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

5hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

6that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.

7For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

8Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

9yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:

10I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

11who was aforetime unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:

12whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

13whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

14but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.

18But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account;

19I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee how that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.

21Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.

22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

23Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;

24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Revised Version (RV). Revised Version (RV), 1885, public domain.