P H I L E M O N

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FRACTAL OUTLINE WITH FULL TEXT

THE EPISTLE OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PAUL
TO PHILEMON

Opening (vv. 1‑3)

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, 

ς.  and Timothy our brother, 

unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, (1)

And to our beloved Apphia, 

ζ.  and Archippus our fellowsoldier, 

and to the church in thy house: (2)

η.  Grace to you, and peace, 

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (3) 

Α. I’ve heard of thy love and faith, refreshing the affection of the saints, brother (vv. 4‑7)

α. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, (4)

β. Hearing of thy love and faith, 

χ. which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; (5)

ο. That the communication of thy faith may become effectual 

ω. by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (6)

α. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, 

β. because the bowels [affection] of the saints are refreshed by thee, 

ξ. brother. (7) (see v. 20)

Β. The prisoner of Christ Paul begets Onesimus, in time past unprofitable to Philemon (vv. 8‑11)

α. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ 

β. to enjoin thee that which is convenient, (8)

χ. Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, 

ο. being such an one as Paul the aged, 

ω. and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (9)

α. I beseech thee for my son, 

β. whom I have begotten in my bonds,

ξ. Onesimus: (10)

ο. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, 

ω. but now profitable to thee and to me: (11)

Χ. Onesimus is being sent back — the voluntary bonds of the gospel (vv. 12‑14)

Whom I have sent again: 

α.       thou therefore receive him, 

that is, mine own bowels [affection]: (12)

β.  Whom I would have retained with me, 

that in thy stead 

 he might have ministered 

χ.               unto me 

 in the bonds 

of the gospel: (13)

ο.  But without thy choice would I do nothing; 

 that not as out of necessity 

ω.        should thy benefit be,  

 but out of willingness. (14)

Ο. Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother, Paul himself pledging to pay any debt (vv. 15‑19)

α. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, 

β. that thou shouldest receive him for ever; (15)

χ. Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, 

ο. specially to me, but how much more unto thee, 

ω. both in the flesh, and in the Lord? (16)

α. If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. (17)

β. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, 

χ. put that on mine account; (18)

ο. I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: 

ω. albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. (19)

Ω. Brother, refresh my affection; thou wilt also do more than I say (vv. 20‑21)

ξ’. Yea, brother, (see v. 7)

ο. let me have gratification of thee in the Lord: 

ω. refresh my bowels [affection] in the Lord. (20)

α. Having confidence 

β. in thy obedience 

ξ. I wrote unto thee, 

ο. knowing that 

ω. thou wilt also do more than I say. (21)

Closing (vv. 22‑25)

ς.  But withal prepare me also a lodging: 

for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. (22)

ζ.  There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; (23)

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. (24)

η.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (25)

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