Philemon 1:25 kjv

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

Philemon 1:25 nkjv

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

Philemon 1:25 niv

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philemon 1:25 esv

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philemon 1:25 nlt

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 25 Meaning

Philemon 1:25 serves as a concluding benediction, a common feature in Paul's letters. It expresses a fervent prayer and statement of spiritual reality, declaring that the unmerited favor, divine enabling, and transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ would reside deeply within the inner being ("spirit") of Philemon and, by extension, the church gathered in his home. The "Amen" affirms the truth and certainty of this blessing. In the context of the letter, this grace is particularly vital for Philemon to embody the Christian call to love, forgiveness, and reconciliation as he grapples with the request to receive Onesimus back as a beloved brother.

Philemon 1 25 Context

Philemon 1:25 forms the conclusion of Paul's deeply personal letter to Philemon. Written from prison, likely Rome, in the early 60s AD, the epistle focuses on Paul's plea to Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colossae, concerning his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had encountered Paul and been converted, becoming invaluable to Paul's ministry. The core of the letter is Paul's request for Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as property but "as a beloved brother" in Christ (Phm 1:16). This revolutionary request challenged social norms of the time. The preceding verses of the chapter convey Paul's apostolic authority, his commendation of Philemon's faith and love, and the specifics of his intercession for Onesimus. Therefore, this benediction of grace is not a mere formality but a vital spiritual impartation, intended to empower Philemon to live out the demanding implications of Christian brotherhood and radical forgiveness demonstrated through grace.

Philemon 1 25 Word analysis

• The grace (Ἡ χάρις - He charis):

  • Charis signifies unmerited favor, a freely given gift from God, flowing from His benevolent disposition towards humanity.
  • It encompasses not only divine favor but also the active power and spiritual enablement that God bestows.
  • In Paul's theology, grace is the basis of salvation (Eph 2:8) and the strength for Christian living (2 Cor 12:9).
  • This specific benediction underscores that grace is both a state of favor and a dynamic, empowering presence for the believer.

• of the Lord (τοῦ Κυρίου - tou Kyriou):

  • Kyrios means master, owner, or supreme authority. Applied to Jesus, it signifies His divine status and sovereignty.
  • It points to His Lordship over all things, including Philemon's decisions and circumstances.
  • This title places Jesus in the same revered category as Yahweh in the Old Testament, signifying ultimate authority and divinity.

• Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iēsou):

  • His given human name, meaning "Yahweh saves."
  • Emphasizes His historical humanity and His role as Savior.
  • The combination of "Lord Jesus Christ" encapsulates His person, His saving work, and His anointed office.

• Christ (Χριστοῦ - Christou):

  • His title, meaning "Anointed One" or Messiah.
  • Identifies Him as the promised Deliverer and King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
  • Highlights His divine mission and unique authority bestowed by God.

• be with (μετὰ - meta):

  • Meaning "with" or "among."
  • Denotes presence, communion, and fellowship. It is a profound desire for grace not just to be available but to be experientially present and active in Philemon's inner life.

• your spirit (τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν - tou pneumatos hymōn):

  • Pneumatos refers to the innermost, non-physical part of a person, where communion with God occurs and spiritual life resides.
  • In the context of Philemon, "your" (ὑμῶν) is plural, referring to Philemon and implicitly the church gathered in his household, acknowledging the communal aspect of this grace.
  • It emphasizes that divine grace is not an external declaration but an internal, operative force within the believer's core being, enabling Christ-like action and perspective.

• Amen. (Ἀμήν - Amēn):

  • A transliteration from Hebrew, meaning "so be it," "truly," "certainly."
  • Used as a solemn affirmation, expressing agreement, desire, and belief in the certainty and effectiveness of the preceding statement.
  • It confirms Paul's sincere desire and faith that this grace will indeed be with Philemon's spirit, giving solemn weight to the benediction.

Words-Group Analysis

• "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ": This phrase encapsulates the sum total of God's redemptive dealings with humanity. It is grace mediated through the person and work of Jesus, who is acknowledged as Lord and Messiah. This specific formulation highlights the divine origin and nature of the blessing, emphasizing that this grace is powerful, perfect, and personal.

• "be with your spirit": This specific Pauline formulation points to an intimate, internalized operation of divine grace. It signifies that God's favor and empowering presence are to penetrate and operate at the very core of one's spiritual being, affecting one's attitudes, decisions, and relationships, which is especially critical for Philemon as he faces a challenging command to embody Christ's love and forgiveness.

• "Amen.": The "Amen" acts as both a concluding prayer and an authoritative declaration. It's not merely a closing formality but a confident assertion of the truth and efficacy of the grace just pronounced. It unites the sender and receiver in solemn agreement concerning the divine reality.

Philemon 1 25 Bonus section

This benediction in Philemon 1:25, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen," is noteworthy for its unique emphasis on the "spirit" (plural 'your spirit'). While Paul often concludes with blessings of "grace be with you" (e.g., Col 4:18), adding "your spirit" points to a deeper, more personal, and internal work of grace. This echoes Paul's understanding that the human spirit is the central locus for divine communication and transformation. This specific phrasing highlights Paul's profound concern for the inner disposition and spiritual strength of Philemon and his household to fully embrace the demands of the Gospel concerning radical brotherhood and forgiveness. It signifies that the grace empowering Christ's followers does not merely touch them superficially but profoundly pervades their deepest spiritual essence, empowering them for actions beyond their natural capacity.

Philemon 1 25 Commentary

Philemon 1:25 functions as more than just a standard closing salutation; it's a vital spiritual impartation directly tied to the central message of the letter. Paul invokes the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be intensely present with Philemon's innermost spiritual being. This divine grace, being unmerited favor and enabling power, is crucial for Philemon to overcome the societal pressures and personal inclinations that might tempt him to reject or harshly treat Onesimus. It provides the spiritual capacity for profound Christian forgiveness, love, and radical reconciliation that God's kingdom demands. It implicitly connects the experience of God's grace with the ability to extend grace to others, transforming societal hierarchies into Christ-centered brotherhood. Paul understands that only by the internal work of Christ's grace can Philemon genuinely receive Onesimus as "a beloved brother" (Phm 1:16), making this benediction the bedrock for the letter's plea. For practical usage, this verse reminds us that true Christian living, especially in challenging relationships, is only possible by the active, empowering grace of Christ dwelling in our spirit. When faced with forgiving or reconciling, believers can depend on this very grace.