Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.^{(D) 17} The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,^(E) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^{(F) 18} But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers^(G) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ^(H) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^{[c](I) 20} I eagerly expect^(J) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage^(K) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,^(L) whether by life or by death.^{(M) 21} For to me, to live is Christ^(N) and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(O) and be with Christ,^(P) which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy^(Q) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm^(R) in the one Spirit,^[d] striving together^(S) as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you^(T) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer^(U) for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle^(V) you saw^(W) I had, and now hear^(X) that I still have.

¹ Paul, a prisoner^(A) of Christ Jesus, and Timothy^(B) our brother,^(C)

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker^(D)— ² also to Apphia our sister and Archippus^(E) our fellow soldier^(F)—and to the church that meets in your home:^(G)

³ Grace and peace to you^[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(H)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

⁴ I always thank my God^(I) as I remember you in my prayers,^{(J) 5} because I hear about your love for all his holy people^(K) and your faith in the Lord Jesus.^{(L) 6} I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,^(M) because you, brother, have refreshed^(N) the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you^(O) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^(P) of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(Q) Onesimus,^[b](R) who became my son while I was in chains.^{(S) 11} Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

¹² I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³ I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains^(T) for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced^(U) but would be voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave,^(V) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^(W) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner,^(X) welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.^{(Y) 19} I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.^(Z) I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰ I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh^(AA) my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident^(AB) of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

²² And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be^(AC) restored to you in answer to your prayers.^(AD)

²³ Epaphras,^(AE) my fellow prisoner^(AF) in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. ²⁴ And so do Mark,^(AG) Aristarchus,^(AH) Demas^(AI) and Luke, my fellow workers.^(AJ)

²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(AK)

¹⁶ When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.^(A)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.^(B) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,^(C) although I have done nothing against our people^(D) or against the customs of our ancestors,^(E) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸ They examined me^(F) and wanted to release me,^(G) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.^{(H) 19} The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.^(I) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel^(J) that I am bound with this chain.”^(K)

²¹ They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people^(L) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”^(M)

²³ They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,^(N) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets^(O) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.^{(P) 24} Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.^{(Q) 25} They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said^(R) through Isaiah the prophet:

²⁸ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation^(U) has been sent to the Gentiles,^(V) and they will listen!” ^[29] [b]

³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.