Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

From Paul, now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, a Brother.

2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

To our dear friend and fellow-worker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow-soldier Archippus; and to the Church that meets at Philemon’s house;

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

may God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace.

4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

I always mention you in my prayers and thank God for you,

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

because I hear of the love and the faith which you show, not only to the Lord Jesus, but also to all his People;

6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

and I pray that your participation in the Faith may result in action, as you come to a fuller realisation of everything that is good and Christlike in us.

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

I have indeed found great joy and encouragement in your love, knowing, as I do, how the hearts of Christ’s People have been cheered, brother, by you.

8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

And so, though my union with Christ enables me, with all confidence, to dictate the course that you should adopt,

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.

yet the claims of love make me prefer to plead with you — yes, even me, Paul, though I am an ambassador for Christ Jesus and, now a prisoner for him as well.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

I plead with you for this Child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my prison, I have become a Father.

11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well;

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

and I am sending him back to you with this letter — though it is like tearing out of my very heart.

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the Good News, he might attend to my wants on your behalf.

14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)

It may be that he was separated from you for an hour, for this very reason, that you might have him back for ever, (aiōnios g166)

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?

no longer as a slave, but as something better — a dearly loved Brother, especially dear to me, and how much more so to you, not only as your fellow man, but as your fellow Christian!

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

If, then, you count me your friend, receive him as you would me.

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] ought, put that on mine account;

If he has caused you any loss, or owes you anything, charge it to me.

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.

I, Paul, put my own hand to it — I will repay you myself. I say nothing about your owing me your very self.

20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Yes, Brother, let me gain something from you because of your union with the Lord. Cheer my heart by your Christlike spirit.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

Even as I write, I have such confidence in your compliance with my wishes, that I am sure that you will do even more than I am asking.

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Please also get a lodging ready for me, for I hope that I shall be given back to you all in answer to your prayers.

23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

Epaphras, who is my fellow-prisoner for Christ Jesus, sends you his greeting;

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

and Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers, send theirs.

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

May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your souls.