Philemon

1This letter is from Paul. I am in prison because I serve Jesus Christ. It is also from Timothy, our brother. I am writing to Philemon, our dear friend who works with us.

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

NoteThis is a letter. Back then a letter began with the writer's name, not the ending. Paul was locked up in prison because he told people about Jesus. He calls Timothy "our brother." Believers called each other brother and sister even when they were not family.

2I am also writing to our dear Apphia, and to Archippus, who serves God beside us. And I am writing to the believers who meet in your house.

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

NoteThere were no church buildings yet. Believers met in someone's house to sing, pray and eat together. The old word "fellowsoldier" does not mean Archippus fought in a war. It means he worked hard for God beside Paul, like a brave friend.

3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be kind to you and give you peace.

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

Note"Grace" means God being kind to us when we did nothing to earn it. Paul started his letters this way, the way we start with "hello."

4I thank my God for you. I speak your name every time I pray.

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

5I hear that you trust the Lord Jesus. I hear that you love all of God's people.

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

NoteThe word "saints" here means all the people who trust Jesus. It does not mean only a few very special people.

6I pray that sharing your faith will do real good. It will do good as you fully know every good thing in you all. Those good things are yours because you belong to Christ Jesus.

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

NoteLong ago the word "communication" meant sharing something with others. It did not mean talking on a phone or a screen. Here "you" means all of you together, the whole group of believers, not just one person.

7Your love makes me very glad and gives me comfort. Brother, you have cheered up God's people and made them feel rested.

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

NoteThe word "bowels" sounds odd to us. Long ago it meant the deepest part of how a person feels. We would say "heart" instead. Paul uses this word again later in the letter.