1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, 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, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Greetings from Paul, a prisoner for Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, our brother.
To Philemon, our dear friend and worker with us. 2 Also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, who serves with us in the Lord’s army, and to the church that meets in your home.
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I remember you in my prayers. And I always thank my God for you. 5 I thank God because I hear about the love you have for all of God’s holy people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the faith you share will make you understand every blessing we have in Christ. 7 My brother, you have shown love to God’s people, and your help has greatly encouraged them. What a great joy and encouragement that has been to me.
8 There is something that you should do. And because of the authority I have in Christ, I feel free to command you to do it. 9 But I am not commanding you; I am asking you to do it out of love. I, Paul, am an old man now, and I am a prisoner for Christ Jesus. 10 I am asking you for my son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison. 11 In the past he was useless to you. But now he has become useful [ a ] for both you and me.
12 I am sending him back to you, but it’s as hard as losing part of myself. 13 I would like to keep him here to help me while I am still in prison for telling the Good News. By helping me here, he would be representing you. 14 But I did not want to do anything without asking you first. Then whatever you do for me will be what you want to do, not what I forced you to do.
15 Onesimus was separated from you for a short time. Maybe that happened so that you could have him back forever, 16 not to be just a slave, but better than a slave, to be a dear brother. That’s what he is to me. And I know he will mean even more to you, both as your slave and as one who shares your faith in the Lord.
17 If you accept me as your friend, then accept Onesimus back. Welcome him like you would welcome me. 18 If he has done any wrong to you or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this in my own handwriting: I will pay back anything Onesimus owes. And I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life. 20 So, my brother, as a follower of the Lord please do this favor [ b ] for me. It would be such a great encouragement to me as your brother in Christ. 21 I write this letter knowing that you will do what I ask, and even more than I ask.
22 Also, please prepare a room for me. I hope that God will answer your prayers and that I will be able to come and see you.
23 Epaphras is a prisoner with me for Christ Jesus. He sends you his greetings. 24 Also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke send their greetings. They are workers together with me.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy [ a ] our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, 2 and to Apphia [ b ] 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 [ c ] 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 [ d ] 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 [ e ] the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: 10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, [ f ] 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 [ g ] 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 [ h ] servant, but more than a [ i ] 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 [ j ] 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 [ k ] our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. [ l ] Amen.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your 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 you in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, 6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, [ a ] 11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. 14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 16 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.
17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account. 19 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). 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 beyond what I say.
22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 and Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and the assembly in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
4 I give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 hearing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that [is] in you toward Christ Jesus;
7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit --
9 because of the love I rather entreat, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;
10 I entreat thee concerning my child -- whom I did beget in my bonds -- Onesimus,
11 who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,
12 whom I did send again, and thou him (that is, my own bowels) receive,
13 whom I did wish to retain to myself, that in thy behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,
14 and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,
15 for perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,
16 no more as a servant, but above a servant -- a brother beloved, especially to me, and how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord!
17 If, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,
18 and if he did hurt to thee, or doth owe anything, this to me be reckoning;
19 I, Paul did write with my hand, I -- I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.
20 Yes, brother, may I have profit of thee in the Lord; refresh my bowels in the Lord;
21 having been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;
22 and at the same time also prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
23 Salute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)
24 Markus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lukas, my fellow-workmen!
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [is] with your spirit! Amen.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer;
2 And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.
5 Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints:
6 That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose:
9 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.
10 I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,
11 Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee,
12 Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel:
14 But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever:
16 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?
17 If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 And if he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is in thy debt, put that to my account.
19 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.
20 Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow labourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy.
To Philemon the beloved and our helper, 2 and to the beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the congregation of your house.
3 Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention always of you in my prayers, 5 when I hear of the love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, 6 so that the fellowship that you have in the faith is fruitful through the knowledge of all good things, which are in you by Jesus Christ. 7 And we have great joy and consolation over your love. For by you, brother, the saints’ hearts are comforted.
8 Therefore, though I might be bold in Christ to enjoin that which behoves you, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Jesus Christ’s sake. 10 I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I begat in my bonds – 11 who in time past was unprofitable to you, but is now able to profit both you and also me, 12 whom I have sent home again. Therefore receive him; that is to say, my own offspring, 13 whom I would gladly have retained with me so that on your behalf he could have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel. 14 Nevertheless, without your consent I would do nothing, because the good that comes of you should not be, as it were, usurped through circumstance, but willing.
15 Perhaps he therefore departed for a season so that you would receive him forever, 16 not now as a servant, but above a servant; I mean a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and also in the Lord. 17 If you count me a fellow, receive him as myself. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, lay it to my charge. 19 I, Paul, have written it with my own hand. I will recompense it.
So I do not say to you that you owe to me even your own self. 20 Even so, brother, let me enjoy this fruit from you in the Lord. Comfort my heart in the Lord.
21 Trusting in your willingness, I have written to you, knowing that you will do more than I say. 22 Moreover, prepare a room for me. For I trust that through the help of your prayers, I shall be given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen.
Sent from Rome by the hands
of Onesimus,
a servant.
