SEPTEMBER 9 2007
SCRIPTURE
Philemon: 1-21
“Refresh
my heart in Christ”
Paul,
a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend
and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to 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 When I remember you
in my prayers, I always thank my God 5 because I hear of your love
for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray
that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the
good that we may do for Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and
encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been
refreshed through you, my brother. 8 For this reason, though I am
bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9 yet I would
rather appeal to you on the basis of love-- and I, Paul, do this as an old man,
and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10 I am appealing to you
for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11
Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to
me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13
I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place
during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do
nothing without your consent, in
order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15
Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you
might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a
slave, a beloved brother-- especially to me but how much more to you, both in
the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner,
welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any
way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am
writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing
me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from
you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your
obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
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