⁸ So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

¹⁶ We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.^(A)

¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?^(A)

¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the service of your faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with all of you;^(A)

¹¹ For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened— ¹² or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing, for that would be harmful to you.^(A)

¹⁹ My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^(A)

6 As we work together with him,^[a] we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.^(A)

Salutation

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To our beloved coworker Philemon,^(A)

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,^[a] greets you. He is always striving in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured^[b] in everything that God wills.^(A)