Philemon 1

1 [I], Paul, am a prisoner [who serves] Christ Jesus. [I am here] with Timothy, our fellow believer. [I am writing this letter] to [you], Philemon, our dear [friend] and fellow worker.

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,

2 [I am also writing] to [your wife], Apphia, and to Archippus, [who is like] [MET] our fellow soldier [because he serves Christ steadfastly together with us]. I am also [writing this] to the congregation [that meets/gathers] in your [(sg)] house.

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

3 [I pray that] God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ [will continue to] act kindly toward you all and [will continue to] cause you to have [inner] peace.

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

4 I always thank my God when I pray for you [(sg)], because I hear [people say that] you love all God’s people [CHI]

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

5 and that you continue to trust in the Lord Jesus.

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

6 I pray that as a result of your knowing all the good things [that God/Christ has done for] us, you may (be effective/influence many others) as you tell others what you believe, in order that [they may honor] Christ.

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

7 I have rejoiced greatly and have been greatly encouraged because you, my dear friend, have acted lovingly toward God’s people by encouraging them [SYN].

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

8 So [I have a request/favor to ask of you]. I am completely confident [that I have authority] to command you [to do] what you ought to do, because [I am an apostle of] Christ.

Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient,

9 But because [I know that you] love [God’s people], I request this instead of [commanding you to do it]. It is I, Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner [because I serve] Christ Jesus, [who am requesting it].

Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I request that you [do something] for someone [who has become like] my own son [because I told him about Christ] [MET] while [I have been] a prisoner [MTY] [here. His name is] Onesimus.

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

11 Although [his name, as you know, means ‘useful’], formerly he was useless to you. But now he is useful both to you and to me!

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

12 Although (he is [as dear to me as/I love him as much as I love]) [MET] my own self [MTY], I am sending him back to you.

Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:

13 I would like to have kept him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf, while I am a prisoner [MTY] [because of my preaching] the message [about Christ].

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

14 Nevertheless, because [I had not yet asked you and] you had not yet permitted me [to keep him here with me], I decided not to [keep him here. I decided that I should] not do anything without your permitting it. [I decided that you should help me only if you] really want to help me.

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

15 Perhaps the reason that [God permitted] Onesimus to be separated from {to leave} you for a little while was that [he would believe in Christ, and as a result] you would have him (back/with you) forever! (aiōnios g166)

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)

16 [You will no longer have him only] as a slave. Instead, [you will have him] as [someone who is] more than a slave. [You will have him] as a fellow believer! He is especially dear to me, but he certainly will be more dear to you [than he is to me] (OR, I love him very much, but you will certainly love him more than I do), [because now he] not only belongs to you but he also belongs to the Lord.

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 So, if you consider me to be your partner [in God’s work], receive him as you would receive me.

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

18 If he has wronged you in any manner or if he owes you anything, (charge that to me/tell me so that I can pay you).

If he has wronged you, or owes you something, put that on my account;

19 I, Paul, am now writing this in my own handwriting: I will repay you what he owes you, although I might mention to you that you owe me even more than Onesimus may owe you, because it was the result of my telling you about Christ that God saved you.

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to you how you owe to me even your own self besides.

20 (Yes/I say it again), my dear friend, because you and I both have a relationship with the Lord, I want you to do this for me. Encourage me [SYN] [by receiving Onesimus kindly, just like you encourage others who believe] in Christ.

Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 I have written [this letter] to you, confident that you will do what I am requesting you to [do]. [In fact], I know that you will do even more than what I am requesting [you to do].

Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

22 Also, keep a guest room ready for me [to stay in], because I confidently expect that as a result of your prayers [for me, I] will be released [from prison and will come] to you all.

But with prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 Epaphras, who is [suffering] with me in prison because of [his serving] Christ Jesus, (sends his greetings to you/wants you to know that he is thinking fondly about you).

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

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who are my [other] fellow workers, also (send their greetings to you/want you to know that they are thinking fondly about you).

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.

25 [I pray that] the Lord Jesus Christ [will] ([continue to] work kindly in all your lives/kindly keep accomplishing what he desires within you).

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