Paul's Letter to Philemon
A Paraphrase
I’ve been working on the Lexham Interpreter’s Translation of Paul’s captivity letters with translation, paraphrase, and notes. (My Romans volume is available here).
Here is my draft paraphrase of Philemon.
1 From Paul, a prisoner who remains loyal to Messiah Jesus, and from Timothy our brother. To our beloved co-worker Philemon 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house. 3 I wish you God’s unmerited kindness and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah.
4 I offer constant thanks for you to my God always whenever I am praying. 5 For I have heard of your love and faithfulness for the Lord Jesus which is evident in what you do for his holy people. 6 My prayer is that your generosity with others will prove to be even more prosperous and that you will grow in the knowledge of the Messiah. 7 Your demonstration of love gives me much joy and comfort, because you have refreshed the hearts of God’s holy people by your charity.