The great hymns of the church are on the way out. They are not gone entirely, but they are going and in their place have come trite jingles that have more in common with contemporary advertising ditties than the psalms. The problem here is not so much the style of the music, though trite words fit best with trite tunes and harmonies. Rather it is with the content of the songs. The old hymns expressed the theology of the Bible in profound and perceptive ways and with winsome memorable language. Today’s songs are focused on ourselves. They reflect our shallow or nonexistent theology and do almost nothing to elevate our thoughts about God. Worst of all are songs that merely repeat a trite idea, word, or phrase over and over again. Songs like this are not worship, though they may give the church-goer a religious feeling. They are mantras, which belong more in a gathering of New Agers than among the worshiping people of God.
James Montgomery Boice

Bible – English_World – Philemon Chapter 1:1-25.

Index: World English Bible

 

Philemon 1

[1]

1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

1:2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:

1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

1:5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

1:6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

1:7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

1:8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,

1:9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

1:10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,{Onesimus means “useful.”}

1:11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

1:12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

1:13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Gospel.

1:14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

1:15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,

1:16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

1:17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

1:18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.

1:19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

1:20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.

1:21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

1:22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.