8So although in Christ I am fully confident that I could order you to do what is proper, 9I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus,a 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. 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, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
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, 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 from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
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 Jesus, sends you greetings, 24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philemon was brought to Christ through Paul. His former slave Onesimus, ran away and found Paul in Rome and was also brought to Christ. Paul was appealing to Philemon for Onesimus' freedom. Paul wanted the runaway mater cleared up so Onesimus could be fully used in the ministry.
Sin is tantamount to slavery, it keeps us from fully serving Jesus Christ.
What sin has chained you in slavery?
Is it lust, pornography, Internet, alcohol, drugs, possessions, gossiping, judging, etc....?
Can you clear up the runaway mater yourself, or do you need assistance for your sin?
First seek Godly advice.
Who in your life can be a Paul that will work on your behalf to set you free from slavery?
Blessings, David
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