Godly Living

(A)Remind them (B)to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be (C)ready for every good deed, to slander no one, (D)not to be contentious, to be (E)gentle, (F)showing every consideration for all people. (G)For we too were once foolish, (H)disobedient, (I)deceived, (J)enslaved to (K)various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in (L)malice and (M)envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the (N)kindness of (O)God our Savior and His love for mankind (P)appeared, (Q)He saved us, (R)not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but (S)in accordance with His mercy, by the (T)washing of regeneration and (U)renewing by the Holy Spirit, (V)whom He (W)richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made (X)heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life. (Y)This statement is trustworthy; and concerning these things I (Z)want you to speak confidently, so that those who have (AA)believed God will be careful to (AB)engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. But (AC)avoid (AD)foolish controversies and (AE)genealogies and strife and (AF)disputes about the Law, for they are (AG)useless and worthless. 10 (AH)Reject a [b](AI)divisive person (AJ)after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person has (AK)deviated from what is right and is sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Concerns

12 When I send Artemas or (AL)Tychicus to you, (AM)make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to (AN)spend the winter there. 13 Diligently help Zenas the (AO)lawyer and (AP)Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14 (AQ)Our people must also learn to (AR)engage in good [c]deeds to meet (AS)pressing needs, so that they will not be (AT)unproductive.

15 (AU)All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us (AV)in the faith.

(AW)Grace be with you all.

Footnotes

  1. Titus 3:7 Or of eternal life according to hope
  2. Titus 3:10 Or factious
  3. Titus 3:14 Or occupations

Saved in Order to Do Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,(A) to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,(B) to slander no one,(C) to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time(D) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness(E) and love of God our Savior(F) appeared,(G) he saved us,(H) not because of righteous things we had done,(I) but because of his mercy.(J) He saved us through the washing(K) of rebirth and renewal(L) by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us(M) generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace,(N) we might become heirs(O) having the hope(P) of eternal life.(Q) This is a trustworthy saying.(R) And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.(S) These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid(T) foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels(U) about the law,(V) because these are unprofitable and useless.(W) 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.(X) 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus(Y) to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.(Z) 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos(AA) on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good,(AB) in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.(AC)

Grace be with you all.(AD)

Salutation

(A)Paul, (B)a prisoner of (C)Christ Jesus, and (D)Timothy [a]our brother,

To Philemon our beloved brother and (E)fellow worker, and to Apphia [b](F)our sister, and to (G)Archippus our (H)fellow soldier, and to (I)the church in your house: (J)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

(K)I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I (L)hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the [c]saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective [d]through the (M)knowledge of every good thing which is in you [e]for the sake of Christ. For I have had great (N)joy and comfort in your love, because the [f]hearts of the [g]saints have been (O)refreshed through you, brother.

Therefore, (P)though I have [h]enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is (Q)proper, yet for love’s sake I rather (R)appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, [i]an (S)old man, and now also (T)a prisoner of (U)Christ Jesus—

Plea for Onesimus, a Free Man

10 I (V)appeal to you for my (W)[j]son [k](X)Onesimus, whom I [l]fathered in my [m]imprisonment, 11 who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my [n](Y)imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would (Z)not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps it was (AA)for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 (AB)no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, (AC)a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both (AD)in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you regard me as a (AE)partner, accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; 19 (AF)I, Paul, have written this with my own hand, I will repay it ((AG)not to [o]mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; (AH)refresh my heart in Christ.

21 (AI)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

22 At the same time also prepare me a (AJ)guest room, for (AK)I hope that through (AL)your prayers (AM)I will be given to you.

23 (AN)Epaphras, my (AO)fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do (AP)Mark, (AQ)Aristarchus, (AR)Demas, and (AS)Luke, my (AT)fellow workers.

25 (AU)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be (AV)with your spirit.[p]

Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:1 Lit the
  2. Philemon 1:2 Lit the
  3. Philemon 1:5 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  4. Philemon 1:6 Or in
  5. Philemon 1:6 Lit toward Christ
  6. Philemon 1:7 Lit inward parts
  7. Philemon 1:7 See note v 5
  8. Philemon 1:8 Lit much
  9. Philemon 1:9 Or an ambassador
  10. Philemon 1:10 Or child
  11. Philemon 1:10 I.e., useful
  12. Philemon 1:10 I.e., led to the Lord
  13. Philemon 1:10 Lit bonds
  14. Philemon 1:13 Lit bonds
  15. Philemon 1:19 Lit say
  16. Philemon 1:25 One early ms adds Amen

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

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

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

Thanksgiving and Prayer

I always thank my God(I) as I remember you in my prayers,(J) because I hear about your love for all his holy people(K) and your faith in the Lord Jesus.(L) 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. 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

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 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)

Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:3 The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter “you” is singular.
  2. Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful.

God’s Final Word in His Son

God, after He (A)spoke long ago to the fathers in (B)the prophets in many portions and (C)in many ways, [a](D)in these last days (E)has spoken to us [b]in His (F)Son, whom He appointed (G)heir of all things, (H)through whom He also made the [c](I)world. [d]And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact (J)representation of His nature, and [e](K)upholds all things by [f]the word of His power. When He had made (L)purification of sins, He (M)sat down at the right hand of the (N)Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent (O)name than they.

For to which of the angels did He ever say,

(P)You are My Son,
Today I have fathered You”?

And again,

(Q)I will be a Father to Him
And He will be a Son to Me”?

And [g]when He again (R)brings the firstborn into [h](S)the world, He says,

(T)And let all the angels of God worship Him.”

And regarding the angels He says,

(U)He makes His angels winds,
And His ministers a flame of fire.”

But regarding the Son He says,

(V)Your throne, God, is forever and ever,
And the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of [i]His kingdom.
(W)You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
(X)Therefore God, Your God, has (Y)anointed You
With the oil of joy above Your companions.”

10 And,

(Z)You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands;
11 (AA)They will perish, but You remain;
(AB)And they all will [j]wear out like a garment,
12 (AC)And like a robe You will roll them up;
Like a garment they will also be changed.
But You are (AD)the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.”

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said,

(AE)Sit at My right hand,
(AF)Until I make Your enemies
A footstool for Your feet”?

14 Are they not all (AG)ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will (AH)inherit (AI)salvation?

Pay Attention

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to [k]what we have heard, so that (AJ)we do not drift away from it. For if the word (AK)spoken through (AL)angels proved [l]unalterable, and (AM)every violation and act of disobedience received a just [m](AN)punishment, (AO)how will we escape if we neglect so great a (AP)salvation? [n]After it was at first (AQ)spoken through the Lord, it was (AR)confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by (AS)signs and wonders, and by (AT)various [o]miracles and by [p](AU)gifts of the Holy Spirit (AV)according to His own will.

Earth Subject to Man

For He did not subject to angels [q](AW)the world to come, about which we are speaking. But someone has testified (AX)somewhere, saying,

(AY)What is man, that You think of him?
Or a son of man, that You are concerned about him?
(AZ)You have made him [r]for a little while lower than angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor[s];
(BA)You have put everything in subjection under his feet.”

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now (BB)we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

Jesus Briefly Humbled

But we do see Him who was (BC)made [t]for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, (BD)because of His suffering death (BE)crowned with glory and honor, so that (BF)by the grace of God He might (BG)taste death (BH)for everyone.

10 For (BI)it was fitting for Him, (BJ)for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to (BK)perfect the [u](BL)originator of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who (BM)sanctifies and those who (BN)are [v]sanctified are all (BO)from one Father; for this reason He is not ashamed to call them (BP)brothers and sisters, 12 saying,

(BQ)I will proclaim Your name to My brothers,
In the midst of the assembly I will sing Your praise.”

13 And again,

(BR)I will put My trust in Him.”

And again,

(BS)Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

14 Therefore, since the children share in [w](BT)flesh and blood, (BU)He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that (BV)through death He might destroy (BW)the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who through (BX)fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For clearly He does not [x]give help to angels, but He gives help to the [y]descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He [z]had (BY)to be made like His brothers so that He might (BZ)become a merciful and faithful (CA)high priest in (CB)things pertaining to God, to (CC)make [aa]propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was [ab](CD)tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are [ac]tempted.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:2 Or at the end of these days
  2. Hebrews 1:2 Or in the person of a Son; lit in Son
  3. Hebrews 1:2 Lit ages
  4. Hebrews 1:3 Lit Who being
  5. Hebrews 1:3 Lit upholding
  6. Hebrews 1:3 Or His word of power
  7. Hebrews 1:6 Or again when He brings
  8. Hebrews 1:6 Lit the inhabited earth
  9. Hebrews 1:8 Late mss Your
  10. Hebrews 1:11 Or become old
  11. Hebrews 2:1 Lit the things that have been heard
  12. Hebrews 2:2 Or steadfast
  13. Hebrews 2:2 Lit retribution
  14. Hebrews 2:3 Lit Which was
  15. Hebrews 2:4 Or works of power
  16. Hebrews 2:4 Lit distributions
  17. Hebrews 2:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  18. Hebrews 2:7 Or ...him a little lower than...
  19. Hebrews 2:7 One early ms continues, and have appointed him over the works of Your hands
  20. Hebrews 2:9 Or a little lower
  21. Hebrews 2:10 Or leader
  22. Hebrews 2:11 Or being sanctified
  23. Hebrews 2:14 Lit blood and flesh
  24. Hebrews 2:16 Lit take hold of angels, but He takes hold of
  25. Hebrews 2:16 Lit seed
  26. Hebrews 2:17 Lit was obligated to be
  27. Hebrews 2:17 I.e., reconciliation with God by atoning for the sins
  28. Hebrews 2:18 Or tested
  29. Hebrews 2:18 Or tested

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

Warning to Pay Attention

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.(AI) For since the message spoken(AJ) through angels(AK) was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,(AL) how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?(AM) This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord,(AN) was confirmed to us by those who heard him.(AO) God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,(AP) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit(AQ) distributed according to his will.(AR)

Jesus Made Fully Human

It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone(AS) has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?(AT)
You made them a little[h] lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
    and put everything under their feet.”[i][j](AU)

In putting everything under them,[k] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[l] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[m] But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor(AV) because he suffered death,(AW) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.(AX)

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists,(AY) should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.(AZ) 11 Both the one who makes people holy(BA) and those who are made holy(BB) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[n](BC) 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[o](BD)

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”[p](BE)

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[q](BF)

14 Since the children have flesh and blood,(BG) he too shared in their humanity(BH) so that by his death he might break the power(BI) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil(BJ) 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear(BK) of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.(BL) 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[r](BM) fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful(BN) and faithful high priest(BO) in service to God,(BP) and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.(BQ) 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.(BR)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1
  8. Hebrews 2:7 Or them for a little while
  9. Hebrews 2:8 Psalm 8:4-6
  10. Hebrews 2:8 Or You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ and put everything under his feet.”
  11. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  12. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  13. Hebrews 2:8 Or him
  14. Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
  15. Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
  16. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
  17. Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
  18. Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers