Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,5 hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.7 For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.15 For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.18 But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account;19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Philemon 1

Salutation

1 From Paul,t a prisoner of Christ Jesus,s and Timothy ourt brother, to Philemon, our dear friendt and colaborer,2 to Apphias our sister,s to Archippus ourt fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

3 Grace and peace to yout from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanks for Philemon’s Love and Faith

4 I always thank my Gods as I remember you in my prayers,t5 because I heart of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your loves for all the saints.t6 I prayt that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessingt that belongs to yous in Christ.t

7 It have had great joy and encouragement becauset of your love, for the heartst of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul’s Request for Onesimus

8 So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,9 I would rather appealt to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old mant and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesust –10 I am appealingt to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have becomet during my imprisonment,s that is, Onesimus,11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to yous and me.12 I have sentst him (who is my very heart)t back to you.13 I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your placet duringt my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.t14 However,t without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally,s16 no longer as a slave,t but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speakingt and in the Lord.17 Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.18 Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owest to me.19 I, Paul, have writtent this lettert with my own hand:s I will repay it. I could also mention that you owes me your very self.20 Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.s21 Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more thant what I am asking you to do.

22 At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

Concluding Greetings

23 Epaphras,s my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.24 Mark, Aristarchus,s Demass and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too.

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ bet with your spirit.s