Philemon
Dear Philemon, Apphia and Archippus,
I am an old man now, and a prisoner. I appeal to you for Onesimus. Formerly he was useless, but now he is useful to you and to me. I am sending him to you.
If you consider me a partner, then receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you, or owes anything to you, charge it to my account. I, Paul, will repay it. I am confident in your obedience. Please prepare a guest room for me; I am hoping to visit.
Yours faithfully,
Paul
P.S. Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke say 'hi'.
Philippians
Hey Philippians!
You are in every prayer of mine, because of your partnership with the gospel from day one until now. I am sure that the good work will be brought to completion at the Day of Jesus Christ. You are partakers, with me, of grace. I pray that your love may abound more and more, so that you will be pure and blameless for the Day of Christ.
I want you to know that my imprisonment has occurred to advance the gospel. It has become known throughout the imperial guard that my imprisonment is for Christ! My imprisonment has boosted the confidence of my brothers, and now they are more bold to speak without fear!
I will rejoice; I know that through your prayers and with the help of Jesus this will turn out well; I have full courage that Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. My desire is to depart and be with Christ; but it is necessary for me to remain in the flesh on your account.
Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I manage to visit you or not, I will hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened by your opponents. This is a sign to them of their destruction, and of your salvation. You shall not only believe in Christ but also suffer for his sake.
Do nothing from selfish ambition; be humble and count others more significant than yourself. Look not to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. This mind you have through Jesus, who, while in the form of God, was not equal to God, and was born human and became obedient to the point of death on a cross. God exalted him, so that every knee should bow at the name of Jesus, and every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord!
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Hold fast to the word, so that on the Day of Christ I may be proud to know that I did not labour in vain! Even if I am to be sacrificed for your faith, I am glad and rejoice, and so should you.
I intend to send Timothy to you soon. I hope to send him as soon as I see how it will go with me. I trust in the Lord that I will come also.
I have sent Epaphroditus to see you. He has been longing for you and was distressed that you learnt he was ill. He was very pooly, near to death. But God had mercy on him. Receive him well and honour him, for he nearly died in the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Finally: look out for dogs, look out for evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. We are the circumcision, but put no confidence in the flesh - although I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh: I was circumcised on the 8th day; I am of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews. I was a Pharisee, a persecutor of the church, blameless under the law! But all that is nothing compared to knowing Jesus Christ. For his sake I have lost all things. I no longer have a righteousness of my own which comes from the law, but a righteousness which comes through faith! Righteousness from God depends on faith.
One thing I do: forget what lies behind and strain forward to what is ahead, press on towards the goal: the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ. Brothers, imitate me, and focus on those who follow in our example. Many walk as enemies of the cross. Their end is destruction; their god is their belly; their glory is their shame, with their minds set on earthly things. Our citizenship is in heaven. We await our saviour, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone! The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything!
Finally: think about whatever is true, whatever is honourable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. What you have learned and heard and seen in me - practice these things.
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
It was kind of you to share my trouble. You were the first church to enter a giving and receiving partnership with me. You sent me help in Thessalonica. And I have received your most recent gift through Epaphroditus: a fragment offering, a sacrifice pleasing to God.
The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household!
Yours faithfully,
Paul and Timothy
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