Philemon 1
1
1From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother.
To Philemon, our dear friend who works together with us; 2our sister Apphia; Archippus, who is a soldier of Christ together with us; and the church that meets in your home.
3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul Prays and Gives Thanks
4I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers. 5I’ve heard about your love for all God’s people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the faith we have in common will help you understand even better every good thing that we share for the sake of Christ. 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, my brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul Makes an Appeal for Onesimus
8Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold and order you to do what you should do. 9But I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love. I, Paul, am an old man, and now I’m also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10Simply as that person, I want to appeal to you on behalf of my son Onesimus. He became a son to me while I was being held in chains. 11Before that, he was useless to you, but now he has become useful to you and to me.
12I’m sending Onesimus back to you, even though that’s like sending away my own heart. 13I would have liked to keep Onesimus with me so he could take your place in helping me while I’m being held in chains because of the good news I am offering. 14But I didn’t want to do anything without your agreement. Any favor you do for me must be done because you want to do it, not because you have to. Maybe 15Onesimus was separated from you for a little while so you could have him back forever, 16not as a slave anymore, but as something much better than a slave. He is a dear brother to me but even more so to you, because now he will be not just a member of your household but also your brother in the Lord.
17If you consider me your partner in God’s work, then accept Onesimus as you would accept me. 18If he has done anything wrong to you, or if he owes you anything, then charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this pledge with my own hand: I will pay it back. I won’t even mention that you owe me your very self. 20I wish, my brother, to receive some benefit from you in the Lord. So please refresh my heart in Christ. 21I’m confident that you will obey, and so I’m writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22There’s one more thing: Have a guest room ready for me. I hope that I’ll be released and that I’ll be able to come see you, in answer to your prayers.
23Epaphras, who’s a prisoner with me in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me, also send you greetings.
25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Philemon 1
1
1From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother.
To Philemon, our dear friend who works together with us; 2our sister Apphia; Archippus, who is a soldier of Christ together with us; and the church that meets in your home.
3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul Prays and Gives Thanks
4I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers. 5I’ve heard about your love for all God’s people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the faith we have in common will help you understand even better every good thing that we share for the sake of Christ. 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, my brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul Makes an Appeal for Onesimus
8Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold and order you to do what you should do. 9But I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love. I, Paul, am an old man, and now I’m also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10Simply as that person, I want to appeal to you on behalf of my son Onesimus. He became a son to me while I was being held in chains. 11Before that, he was useless to you, but now he has become useful to you and to me.
12I’m sending Onesimus back to you, even though that’s like sending away my own heart. 13I would have liked to keep Onesimus with me so he could take your place in helping me while I’m being held in chains because of the good news I am offering. 14But I didn’t want to do anything without your agreement. Any favor you do for me must be done because you want to do it, not because you have to. Maybe 15Onesimus was separated from you for a little while so you could have him back forever, 16not as a slave anymore, but as something much better than a slave. He is a dear brother to me but even more so to you, because now he will be not just a member of your household but also your brother in the Lord.
17If you consider me your partner in God’s work, then accept Onesimus as you would accept me. 18If he has done anything wrong to you, or if he owes you anything, then charge it to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this pledge with my own hand: I will pay it back. I won’t even mention that you owe me your very self. 20I wish, my brother, to receive some benefit from you in the Lord. So please refresh my heart in Christ. 21I’m confident that you will obey, and so I’m writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22There’s one more thing: Have a guest room ready for me. I hope that I’ll be released and that I’ll be able to come see you, in answer to your prayers.
23Epaphras, who’s a prisoner with me in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me, also send you greetings.
25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014, 2020 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.