King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 4 notes
1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, 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, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
How do we make the gospel we have heard and the life of Christ real in our walk in this life?
There is a process or processes that move the gospel from the pages of the Bible to become real and manifest in power, healing, peace, joy etc.
What are some of these processes of making it effectual?
1. By knowledge
7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16Not 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?
The early church ⛪ truly and indeed preached LOVE and lived it.
See how a stubborn runaway slave was now repented and converted.
And could now be treated by his believing master as a brother. And you can see the affection in the letter from Paul to Philemon.
They were really full of love for each other.
Today such love seems rare; everyone is on guard and on edge, because you do not know who to trust or who may feign love to take advantage of you.
So now we have all adapted; we show love, but with wisdom and caution, even in the church, lest you be taken advantage of.
Lord have mercy and restore true and genuine love of God and of the Holy Ghost.
17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
For Paul to vouch so much for Onesimus as to have his wrongs charged to his account, then Paul was really saying the former servant and sinner was truly repented and transformed by the power of Christ in him.
Wow, that's quite some bold moves from Paul, to vouch for a runaway slave.
We are not told how long Onesimus was with Paul, but long enough for Paul to speak so highly of him. Hmm. It is well.
19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
Hmm 🤔 Paul... Bullying Philemon a little 😇
20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.