Reading for January 20th

Read Philemon
In verses 1-7 opening and thanksgiving.
Paul praises Philemon but doe snot mention Onesimus: he wants Philemon to act out of good will, so establishes Philemon's good will at the start.
Because he wants Philemon to accept Onesimus, Paul's very heart (v. 12), he praises Philemon's love.
In verse 1 Timothy, see 1 Thess 3.1-6; 1 Cor 4.17; Phil 2.19-24.
Dear, the Greek is the same as beloved used for Onesimus in vv. 5, 7, 9, 16.
In verse 2 Apphia our sister, in the Lord,
Archippus, see Col 4.17.
Fellow soldier see Phil 2.25.
Church in your house, early Christians worshipped in private homes (Rom 16.6; 1 Cor 16.19; Col 4.15).
In verse 5 love for all the saints, extravagant praise so that Philemon will love the new saint Onesimus.
In verse 6 the good, see Rom 10.15; Phil 1.6; 1 Thess 5.15; Gal 6.10.
In verse 7 hearts, literally inward parts.
In verses 8-16 Paul's appeal
In verse 8 for this reason, a transition marks a new section.
In verse 9 old man could mean ambassador, but likely refers to Paul's age.
In verse 10 my child, a metaphor for a convert.
See 1 Cor 4.14, 17; Gal 4.19.
In verse 11 useless ... useful
In verse 15 he was separated, a passive form, possibly suggesting God as the cause, underlying the point that the delay was beneficial.
In verses 17-25 request and closing
The letter opened in both private and public spheres and closes in the same way, with greetings in vv. 24 and 25.
In verse 17 so, a transitional word marking a start of the final section.
In verse 19 my own hand, Paul probably dictated his letters to a scribe 9 1 Cor 16.21; Gal 6.11), but here he writes himself.
In verse 20 benefit, Greek onaimen, similar to Onesimus; through word play, Paul indirectly asks for Onesimus.
In verse 21 more than I say, perhaps more that I say obliquely; Philemon must decide freely.
In verses 23-24 Epaphras, see Col 1.7; 4.12.
the others are mentioned in Col 4.10-17, which includes Jesus Justus as well.
In verse 25 a similar benediction is found in Phil 4.23; Gal 6.18.
Comments or questions..