Philemon 1
1 This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;
To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,
2 to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
to my sister Apphia, to my fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church which meets at Philemon’s house. From Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy.
3 May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
I am ever mentioning you in my prayers, and giving thanks to God,
5 because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
because I am hearing of your love and of the faith which you hold, not only toward the Lord Jesus Christ, but toward all the saints.
6 I pray that you will put the generous nature of your trust in God into action as you recognize all the good things we share in Christ.
And I pray that your participation may become effectual, as you come to acknowledge every good thing which is in you to Christ.
7 Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
For I have great joy and comfort in your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed.
8 That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
And so, although I might be bold in Christ to dictate to you what is fitting,
9 I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
yet for love’s sake, I rather beseech you, I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus!
10 is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I have begotten in these chains.
11 In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
Once you found him "unprofitable," but now he is "profitable" to you and to me.
12 I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
I am sending him back to you, he himself, that is, my very heart!
13 I'd have preferred to keep him here with me so that he could have helped me as you would have done while I am in chains for telling the good news.
I could wish to retain him at my side, so that he might minister to me in your stead, in my bonds for the gospel.
14 But I decided not do anything without your permission. I didn't want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.
But without your consent I was unwilling to do anything, so that your kindness to me might be of your own free will, and not of compulsion.
Perhaps for this reason you were separated from him for an hour, in order that you might have him back forever, (aiōnios g166)
16 He's not a servant anymore, because he's more than a servant. He's a specially-loved brother, particularly to me, and even more to you, both as a man and as a fellow-believer in the Lord.
no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a brother beloved; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both as a man and a fellow Christian.
17 So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18 If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
And if he has wronged you at all, or is owing you anything, charge that to me.
19 I Paul am signing this with my own hand: I will repay you. Of course I won't mention what you owe me, including your very self!
I Paul am writing this in my own handwriting, "I will repay you." But I will not mention that you owe me, over and over, your very soul.
20 Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
Come my brother, let me have joy in the Lord because of you! Refresh my heart in Christ!
21 I'm writing about this to you because I'm convinced you'll do as I ask—in fact I know you'll do even more than I've asked!
Because I am thoroughly persuaded of your obedience, I have written you, knowing full well that you will do by me what I am asking.
22 In the meantime please have a room ready for me, for I hope to be able to return to see you soon in answer to your prayers.
Please also prepare for me a lodging, for I am hoping by your prayers to be restored to you again.
23 Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greeting;
24 as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
