Greetings from Paul and Timothy 1Paul (humble), a prisoner of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), and Timothy (honoring God) our brother, To Philemon (affectionate) our beloved {agapētō} fellow worker, 2to Apphia (increasing) our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church {ekklēsia} that meets at youra house: 3Grace and peace to you⁺ from God {Theou} our Father and the Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One). Philemon’s Faith and Love 4I always thank my God {Theō}, remembering you in my prayers, 5because I hear about your faith in the Lord {Kyrion} Jesus (YHWH saves) and your love {agapēn} for all the saints (holy ones). 6I pray that your partnership {koinōnia} in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ (the Anointed One). 7I take great joy and encouragement in your love {agapē}, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints (holy ones). Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus 8So although in Christ (the Anointed One) I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, 9I prefer to appeal on the basis of love {agapēn}. For I, Paul (humble), am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) as well. 10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus (useful),b whose father I became while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending back to you him who is my very heart. 13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel (good news). 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. 15For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave {doulon}, but better than a slave, as a beloved {agapēton} brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord {Kyriō}. 17So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19I, Paul (humble), write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit {onaimēn}c from you in the Lord {Kyriō}. Refresh my heart in Christ (the Anointed One). 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your⁺ prayers I will be restored to you⁺. Additional Greetings 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), sends you greetings, 24as do Mark, Aristarchus (of Macedonia), Demas, and Luke (from Lucania), my fellow workers. 25The grace of the Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) be with your⁺ spirit [Amen.].d Footnotes: 2 a You and Your are singular throughout this letter, except in verses 3, 22, and 25. 10 b Onesimus means useful (see verse 11) or beneficial (see verse 20). 20 c Greek onaimēn, a play on the name Onesimus 25 d BYZ and TR include Amen. The Berean Annotated Bible (BAB) is the Annotated version of the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). The BAB includes over 50,000 points of emphasis using the following system: (Emphasis and Names) {Hebrew and Greek} [Alternate Manuscripts] \Literal translation/ <Measurements and Crossrefs> Second Person Plural: you⁺ your⁺ yours⁺ This version is an early draft and is now in the stage of proofing, consistency checking, and public comment. Please note that meanings for Biblical names are based on Hebrew and Greek roots and can be somewhat subjective. Feel free to Contact us with suggestions or corrections. We are still adding points of emphasis wherever helpful. |
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