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1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Biography of Onesimus

Biography of Onesimus

Biography | Col 4:9 | Jeffrey Kershner

Philemon, a Christian in Colossae, had a slave named Onesimus who stole something and then ran away to either Ephesus or Rome.  While in prison, Onesimus met Paul and was converted by him.  Onesimus begins to serve Paul and is described as “a faithful and devoted brother”(Col 4:9).  Paul sends Onesimus back to his master with a short letter that we know as Philemon.  Onesimus’ name means “useful” or “profitable.”  Paul uses the name in a play on words in Phlm 11 to say that Onesimus “was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.” Paul exhorts Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive him, and offers to pay any damages Onesimus may have caused Philemon.