Philemon 1

“Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:” Naming Apphia and Archippus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Naming Christ and Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;” Naming Hearing and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in…” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:” Naming Onesimus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:” The line’s distinctive content terms include past, profitable, time. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:” The line’s distinctive content terms include bowels, receive. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:” The line’s distinctive content terms include bonds, gospel, ministered. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.” The line’s distinctive content terms include benefit, mind, necessity. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.” The line’s distinctive content terms include count, myself, partner. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;” The line’s distinctive content terms include account, oweth, wronged. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Naming Yea keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.” Naming Having keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;” Naming Christ and Epaphras keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.” Naming Aristarchus and Demas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Naming Amen and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.