9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretic [who disbelieves, or teaches any doctrine contrary to, the gospel,] after the first and second admonition, reject [cast out of the church]; 11 Knowing that he that is such, is turned away from the truth and sinneth, being condemned of his own conscience. 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis : for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14 And let our communion [church] also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses [for their own maintenance], that they be not unfruitful [may have power to be charitable]. 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. It was written to Titus, ordained first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis to Macedonia. THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. This Epistle was written by Paul the Apostle to Philemon, about the end of the year of our Lord 63, or the beginning of 64. Philemon was an inhabitant and chief person at Colosse. It was written in behalf of his runaway slave Onesimus, whom Paul had converted to Christ. It contains twenty-five verses. 1 PAUL, a prisoner at Rome, for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, writing unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia [his wife,] and to Archippus our fellow-soldier in the warfare of the gospel, and to the church in thy house : 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers. 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication [sharing, spreading] of thy faith may become effectual, may be the means of making known all the good which is in thee in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love for Christ and to his faithful followers; thy good deeds and thy charities, brother, are a joy to our hearts. 8 Therefore, though as an apostle of Christ I might by my authority be bold [take upon myself] to enjoin [enforce upon thee] acquiescence with my request, 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ: 10 I do therefore beseech thee forgive [receive into thy favour] thy runaway slave Onesimus, whom I may call my son in the faith, having begotten [converted] him during my imprisonment: 11 Who in time past was to thee an unprofitable slave, but now that he has become a Christian, profitable to thee as a servant, and to me by his faith in Christ. 12 Whom I have sent to thee back again: thou therefore receive him as one for whom I have a tender affection: 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without knowing thy wishes I would do S nothing; I have therefore sent him, that being again in thy power, thy forgiveness might not be of necessity [because thou hadst it not in thy power to punish], but of free will. 15 For perhaps his having departed from thee without permission for a season may, by his conversion, be the means that thou shouldest receive him for ever [in this life and in the life to come]; 16 Not now as a servant, but being a Christian, above a servant, a brother in Christ beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh as thy slave, and in the Lord as a fellowchristian? 17 If thou count me therefore as thy fellow-christian [as thy friend], receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee, how much thou owest unto me as the means of thy conversion, even thine own self. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord; gratify those my yearnings for my convert and for thee, for the Lord's sake. 21 It is because I have confidence that thou wilt do this, and more than I have asked for him, that I have written unto thee. 22 But besides this, prepare me a lodging at thine house, for although I am now in prison, I trust through your prayers I shall be released and be granted unto you. |