Study Desk

That is why I am sending him. I want you to know how we are, and I am sending him to encourage you.

I am sending him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother from your group. They will tell you everything that has happened here.

Greetings from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope.

Here is a true statement that should be accepted without question: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the worst of them.

Timothy, you are like a son to me. What I am telling you to do agrees with the prophecies that were told about you in the past. I want you to remember those prophecies and fight the good fight of faith.

And I was chosen as an apostle to tell people that message. (I am telling the truth. I am not lying.) I was chosen to teach those who are not Jews to believe and understand the truth.

I hope I can come to you soon. But I am writing this to you now,

Greetings from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because God wanted me to be. God sent me to tell people about the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

So don't be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus. And don't be ashamed of me—I am in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God gives us the strength to do that.

And I suffer now because of that work. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one I have put my trust in. And I am sure that he is able to protect what I have put into his care until that Day.

Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand it all.

And because I tell that message, I am suffering. I am even bound with chains like someone who has really done wrong. But God's message is not bound.

Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give it to me on that Day. Yes, he will give it to me and to everyone else who is eagerly looking forward to his coming.

This is important, because there are many people who refuse to obey—people who talk about worthless things and mislead others. I am talking especially about those who say that men who are not Jews must be circumcised to please God.

But I am not commanding you; I am asking you to do it out of love. I, Paul, am an old man now, and I am a prisoner for Christ Jesus.

I am asking you for my son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison.

I am sending him back to you, but it's as hard as losing part of myself.

I would like to keep him here to help me while I am still in prison for telling the Good News. By helping me here, he would be representing you.

I, Paul, am writing this in my own handwriting: I will pay back anything Onesimus owes. And I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life.

He also says, "I will trust in God." And he says, "I am here, and with me are the children God has given me."