The Epistle of Paul to Philemon

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- Chapter 1 -

(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)

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

And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Faith and Love

I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.

Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints:

That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.

For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose:

For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul an old man, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,

Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee,

Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel:

But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me: but how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord?

If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.

And if he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy own self also.

Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Additional Greetings

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow labourers.

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

(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ

(a)

Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

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

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

Philemon’s Faith and Love

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

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

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

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

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

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

yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,(b)

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

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

whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.

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

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

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.

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

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

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).

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

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

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

Additional Greetings

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

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

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

Footnotes

(a)1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

(b)1:10 Onesimus means “useful”.