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Philemon 1

Greeting

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemons Love and Faith

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,9 yet for loves sake I rather appeal to you being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,16 no longer as a slave but more than a slavea beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Philemons Obedience Encouraged

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repaynot to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Farewell

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

PHILEMON 1

1 From Paul, who is in jail for serving Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is like a brother because of our faith.
Philemon, you work with us and are very dear to us. This letter is to you

2 t and to the church that meets in your home. It is also to our dear friend Apphia and to Archippus, who serves the Lord as we do.

3 I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

Philemon's Love and Faith


4 Philemon, each time I mention you in my prayers, I thank God. 5 I hear about your faith in our Lord Jesus and about your love for all God's people. 6 As you share your faith with others, I pray they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us.

7 My friend, your love has made me happy and has greatly encouraged me. It has also cheered the hearts of God's people.

Paul Speaks to Philemon //about Onesimus


8 Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do. 9 But I would rather ask you to do it simply because of love. Yes, as someonet in jail for Christ, 10 t I beg you to help Onesimus!t He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail.

11 Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12 Sending Onesimus back to you makes me very sad. 13 I would like to keep him here with me, where he could take your place in helping me while I am here in prison for preaching the good news.

14 But I won't do anything unless you agree to it first. I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do.
15 Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so you could have him back for good,

16 but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord.
17 If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. 18 If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19 With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don't forget you owe me your life.

20 My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me.
21 I am sure you will do all I have asked, and even more.

22 Please get a room ready for me. I hope your prayers will be answered, and I can visit you.
23  t Epaphras is also here in jail for being a follower of Christ Jesus. He sends his greetings,

24 t and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me.
25 I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you!