not already known, for fear I should be building on a foundation laid by another man.

This is why I have been so often prevented from visiting you. But now, as I have no longer opportunity for work in these regions, and having for several years been longing to visit you when I go to Spain, I am hoping to see you on my way there and to be sent on my journey by you after I have first enjoyed being with you for a time. But now I am on my way to Jerusalem to perform a service for God's people; for Macedonia and Greece have kindly decided to make a contribution to the poor Christians at Jerusalem.

I entreat you then, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love which his Spirit inspires, join me in earnest prayer to God in my behalf. Pray that I may be delivered from those in Judea who refuse to believe in Jesus, that my mission to Jerusalem may prove acceptable to God's people, and that I may by God's will come to you joyfully and find rest with you. May the God who gives peace be with you all. Amen.

153. A LETTER OF INTRODUCTION AND GREETING

Let me introduce our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchree that you may receive her as a fellow Christian in a manner worthy of God's people, and may assist her in any way that she may need your help. I ask it because she herself has been a help to many, including myself.

Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in the cause of Christ Jesus, who risked their lives for me. I thank them, and not only I but all the non-Jewish churches as well. Also give my greetings to the church which meets in their house. Greet my be

loved Epænetus, who was the first in the province of Asia to be won to Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junius, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are men of note among the apostles and they have been Christians longer than I. Greet Amplias, my beloved fellow Christian. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in the cause of Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet that tried and tested Christian Apelles. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet my fellow countryman Herodion. Greet those members of the household of Narcissus who are Christians. Greet Tryphæna and Tryphosa, who work hard in the Master's cause. Greet the beloved Persis. She has labored well for the Lord. Greet that worthy Christian Rufus and his mother, who has also been as a mother to me. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers associated with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all God's people who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

Brothers, I entreat you to be on your guard against those who stir up dissensions and put hindrances in your way contrary to the teachings which you have learned. Avoid them. Such people are not servants of Christ our Master, but are slaves of their own base desires, and with their plausible and pious talk they deceive the un

wary.

Every one has heard of your loyalty; therefore I rejoice over you. Still, I wish you to be wise in your search for what is good and innocent in regard to evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greeting to

you; so do my fellow countrymen Lucius, Jason, and

Sosipater.

I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the name of the Lord.

Gaius, my host and host of the entire church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, salutes you, as does brother Quartus.

PHILEMON

154. AN APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN CLEMENCY

AND CONSIDERATION

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ and Timothy our brother to our beloved fellow worker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church which meets in your house. May grace and peace be granted you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always give thanks to my God when I mention you in my prayers, for whenever I hear of your love and loyalty to the Lord Jesus and to all his people I pray that as they share your faith they may gain a practical knowledge of all the good we enjoy through our relations to Christ. For I have had great joy and comfort in your love, my brother, because the hearts of God's people have been refreshed by you.

Therefore, although with Christ's authority I feel quite free to prescribe what you should do, I prefer to appeal to you on the ground of love. So as Paul, the old man, who is now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, I appeal to you on behalf of my child Onesimus, who through my instrumentality was born into the Christian life during my imprisonment. At one time you found him inefficient, but now true to his name he is useful both to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, though it is like tearing out my very heart. I would have kept him with me, that he might have served me in your behalf during my imprisonment for the good news, but I was unwilling to do so without your consent, so that your kindness should not be compulsory but voluntary.

Perhaps it was for this very reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you might receive him back forever, no longer a slave but as something far more than a slave a brother especially dear to me but even dearer to you both as a man and as a fellow Christian! So if you regard me as your comrade, receive him as you would me; and if he has done anything dishonest or owes you anything, put that down against my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand, ‘I will repay it in full,' not to remind you of the fact that you owe me in addition your very soul. Yes, brother, let me have some return from you for bringing you to the Lord. Refresh my heart by your Christlike spirit.

I write you, relying on your compliance with my wishes, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. At the same time prepare a lodging place for me, for I hope that in answer to your prayers I may be permitted to visit you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ, salutes you, as do also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.