Philemon 1 ~ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Onward Christian Soldiers by Fountainview Academy BC Mountains of Canada

San Paolo alla Regola

Philemon 1 ~ Revised Standard Version 

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

Forensic composite of Paul from all the early, alike iconic art

To Phile′mon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Ap′phia our sister and Archip′pus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an ambassador and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Ones′imus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless (!) to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me!

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.

Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be granted to you.

Ep′aphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristar′chus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

3rd Century Copy of Philemon surviving the 3 centuries of Roman destruction. This is the earliest (nearly) complete manuscript of the Epistles.

Good News! This Biblical Book is highly regarded as one of the undisputed works of Paul. Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, agrees in the 3rd Century, as well.

A slice of history, Paul is telling us he has guests - therefore - this is not the imprisonment in The Mamertino Prison, the Tullianum. The documents still exist to this Mamertino Prison history. The older portion is, mostly, below street level (in all our photos today). History says Paul and Peter were imprisoned here and this is recorded being built in The Law of the Twelve Tables, the ancient legislation, the foundation of Roman law, in 500 B.C. It is quite horribly, awful inside the prison. The prison ceiling is remarkably familiar to the archaeological dig 80 feet below the altar of The Vatican Altar. Here Peter's grave was sheltered by a huge rock allowing Peter's bones (upon this rock) not to decay. DNA studies showed this to be a man of Hebrew descent, age 62; having had his feet cut off, as Peter's were.

In Philemon, instead, this location is where Paul - only by tradition - is recorded being in
San Paolo alla Regola - and the Monastery next door. His accommodations are the photo below.

Paul was allowed to have visitors. It might have looked better 2,000 years ago. We hope. Anyone who wished to visit Paul, could.

{History records:
The sixteenth-century mansion mirrors along an old Roman road network (now Via S. Paul to the Rule), hides a series of structures of the imperial age known such a time as the Houses of St. Paul to the Rule. They will keep for about 15 m in height corresponding to four floors, two below the current street level, to a depth of 9 m, and two above the ground. It is a large complex where the first level is an environment, covered with a barrel vault, willing to stand on the narrow streets of functional service to the commercial activities along the river. They are very probably identified with the Horrea Vespasiani that Domitian had built in this area. The building underwent a complete renovation at the beginning of the third century. A.D. and yet, after a fire, in the era of Constantine.  Roman structures were built before the tower-house, which still remains, behind the current building. Some areas of the complex retain fragments of frescoes and mosaic floors are decorated with black and white geometric patterns (rectangles, four-pointed stars, scales to fans etc..) That make up an example of the figurative repertoire mosaic spread to Rome and Ostia age Severian.)

Paul is with Timothy, his son by adoption in God's family. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, sends the most loving of letters and we experience and feel the Love, Sincerity, Warmth. We agree together this fills our souls fully with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness - seeing Paul's gentleness and self-control.

Paul! Continues! He shows Joy - A pun on Onesimus's name, which means "useful" in verse 11!

The earliest known fragment of  The Epistle to Philemon, dates late 2nd century, (a century history records the disciple John was alive, arguing the validity of Jesus as God and human man) now housed in a  museum in Cologne, France.

I was raised hearing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and have love for the song. We sang this beautiful hymn in my parochial schools with Joy. Because men and women, like Paul, for centuries, provided a Bible we can easily find today. Paul lived "From whom much is given, much is required."

Paul, knew what would happen to take up the Cross of Jesus and proclaim Jesus as Lord. He carefully measured the path. To provide - for your feet - an establishing way, well established, for us. We do not have a Spirit of fear, but of confidence in Jesus. 

Paul's struggle, and the victory of Jesus Christ, allows the innocence of the song we see in the video above. 

There will always be a spiritual battle.

We will be strong in the Lord. From the strength of His might! And stand firm. In the name of Jesus, with prayer and petition knowing the battle is won in Jesus the Lord. Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's."
 Onward Christians, soldier together, upbuild the Body in Love!

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Nehemiah 8:10
"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve.
Ror the joy of the LORD is your strength!"

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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