and to [your wife] Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier [in ministry], and to the church that meets in your house:

and I pray that through coming to know every good thing about us as Christians they may effectually share your faith.

For I have had great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints (God’s people) have been refreshed through you, my brother.

So although as a Christian I feel quite free to order you to do what ought to be done,

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a brother beloved; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both as a man and a fellow Christian.

Come, brother, let me make something out of you, in a Christian sense! Cheer my heart as a Christian.