1 Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, and our brother Timotheus, vnto Philemon our deare friende, and fellowe helper, 2 And to our deare sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellowe souldier, and to the Church that is in thine house: 3 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ. 4 I giue thanks to my God, making mention alwaies of thee in my praiers, 5 (When I heare of thy loue and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Iesus, and towarde all Saintes) 6 That the fellowship of thy faith may bee made effectuall, and that whatsoeuer good thing is in you through Christ Iesus, may be knowen. 7 For we haue great ioy and consolation in thy loue, because by thee, brother, the Saintes bowels are comforted. 8 Wherefore, though I bee very bolde in Christ to commaund thee that which is conuenient, 9 Yet for loues sake I rather beseeche thee, though I be as I am, euen Paul aged, and euen nowe a prisoner for Iesus Christ. 10 I beseeche thee for my sonne Onesimus, whome I haue begotten in my bondes, 11 Which in times past was to thee vnprofitable, but nowe profitable both to thee and to me, 12 Whome I haue sent againe: thou therefore receiue him, that is mine owne bowels, 13 Whom I woulde haue reteined with mee, that in thy steade he might haue ministred vnto me in the bondes of the Gospel. 14 But without thy minde woulde I doe nothing, that thy benefite should not be as it were of necessitie, but willingly. 15 It may be that he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receiue him for euer, 16 Not now as a seruant, but aboue a seruant, euen as a brother beloued, specially to me: howe much more then vnto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 17 If therefore thou count our thinges common, receiue him as my selfe. 18 If he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee ought, that put on mine accounts. 19 I Paul haue written this with mine owne hande: I will recompense it, albeit I doe not say to thee, that thou owest moreouer vnto me euen thine owne selfe. 20 Yea, brother, let mee obteine this pleasure of thee in the Lord: comfort my bowels in the Lord. 21 Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote vnto thee, knowing that thou wilt do eue more then I say. 22 Moreouer also prepare mee lodging: for I trust through your prayers I shall be freely giuen vnto you. 23 There salute thee Epaphras my felowe prisoner in Christ Iesus, 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my felowe helpers. 25 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen. ‘Written from Rome to Philemon, and send by Onesimus a seruant.’
1 From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy—
To our friend and fellow worker Philemon, 2 and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow soldier Archippus:
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Philemon's Love and Faith
4 Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. 5 For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ. 7 Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.
A Request for Onesimus
8 For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. 9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake. 10 So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. 11 At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. 13 I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place. 14 However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.
15 It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time. 16 And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord!
17 So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19 Here, I will write this with my own hand: I, Paul, will pay you back. (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.) 20 So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!
21 I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask—in fact I know that you will do even more. 22 At the same time, get a room ready for me, because I hope that God will answer the prayers of all of you and give me back to you.
Final Greetings
23 Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, 24 and so do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.