REMIND them to be subject to princes and those invested with authority,
to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work, (2)to slander no
man, to be inoffensive, gentle, shewing all meekness to all men. (3)For
we ourselves also in time past were thoughtless, disobedient,
erroneous, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful, hating one another. (4)But even then the kindness
and love of God our Saviour to man shone forth, (5)not for works of
righteousness which we had done, but according to his mercy he saved
us, by the laver of regeneration, and by renovation of the Holy Spirit;
(6)which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
(7)that justified by his grace, we might become heirs in hope of
eternal life.
(8)Faithful is the saying, and of these things I wish thee firmly to
testify, that they who have believed in God be careful to be
pre-eminent in good works. These are becoming and advantageous to men.
(9)But foolish disquisitions, and genealogies, and disputes, and
contentions about the law avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain.
(10)An heretical person after a first and second admonition reject;
(11)knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being
self-condemned.
(12)When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, hasten to come to
me unto Nicopolis: for there I have determined to pass the winter.
(13)Send forward diligently Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that nothing
may be wanting for them. (14)And let those who belong to us learn also
to be pre-eminent in good works for all necessary calls, that they be
not without fruits.
(15)All that are with me salute thee. Salute those who love us with
fidelity.
Grace be with you all. Amen.
This epistle was written to Titus appointed by suffrage first bishop of
the church of Crete, from Nicopolis in Macedonia.
THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE, TO PHILEMON.
PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon
the beloved, and our fellow-labourer, (2)and to Apphia the beloved, and
to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church at thy house:
(3)grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
(4)I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
(5)hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast towards the Lord
Jesus, and unto all the saints; (6)that there may be an operative
communication of thy faith made known by every good thing, which is in
you towards Jesus Christ. (7)For we have great joy and consolation in
thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee,
brother. (8)Wherefore, though I have in Christ great liberty to enjoin
thee what is becoming, (9)I rather for love's sake entreat, being such
as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ. (10)I
entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds,
Onesimus: (11)who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to
thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me: (12)whom I have sent
back; thou therefore receive him, even as my own bowels: (13)whom I
wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited
upon me during my bonds for the gospel: (14)but without thy consent
would I do nothing; that this good deed of thine might not be as of
necessity, but from thy own choice. (15)For to this end perhaps was he
separated from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for
ever; (16)no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother
beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the
flesh, and in the Lord? (17)If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with
thee, receive him as myself. (18)If he hath injured thee or oweth thee
ought, put that to my account; (19)I Paul have given it under my own
hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine
own self unto me. (20)Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the
Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. (21)Having confidence in thy
obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more
than I say. (22)But at the same time prepare me also a lodging: for I
hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
(23)There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
(24)Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-labourers.
(25)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Amen.
Written to Philemon from Rome, by Onesimus one of his household.