Philemon
Onesimus entreated for.
1 Paul, a prisoner[2] of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer[3][4],
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus[5] our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house[6]:
3 Grace to you[7], and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God[8], making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love[9] and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging[10] of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother[11].
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold[12] in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus[13], whom I have begotten[14] in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might[15] have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly[16].
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever[17];
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved[18], specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh[19], and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner[20], receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence[21] in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust[22] that through your prayers[23] I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras[24], my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus[25][26], Aristarchus[27], Demas, Lucas[28][29], my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
- Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus, a servant.
Footnotes
- ↑ This Paul's shortest letter, totaling only 335 words in the original Greek. It was written by Paul while in prison.
- ↑ Eph 4:1
- ↑ Phi 2:25
- ↑ "fellowlabourer is written as one word in the KJV. Other translations say "fellow worker" or "co-worker".
- ↑ Col 4:17
- ↑ Rom 16:5
- ↑ Eph 1:2
- ↑ Phi 1:3, 1 The 1:2
- ↑ Eph 1:15, 1 Joh 3:23
- ↑ Phi 1:9
- ↑ 2 Tim 1:16
- ↑ 2 Cor 3:12
- ↑ Col 4:9
- ↑ 1 Cor 4:15, Gal 4:19
- ↑ Phi 2:30
- ↑ 2 Cor 9:7
- ↑ Gen 45:8, Gen 45:5
- ↑ Mat 23:8, 1 Tim 6:2
- ↑ Eph 6:5-7, Col 3:22
- ↑ 2 Cor 8:23
- ↑ 2 Cor 7:16
- ↑ Phi 1:25
- ↑ Rom 15:30-32, Jam 5:16
- ↑ Col 1:7
- ↑ Act 12:12
- ↑ John Mark, author of the second gospel
- ↑ Act 19:29, Act 20:4
- ↑ Col 4:14, 2 Tim 4:11
- ↑ Luke, the "beloved physician", author of the third gospel and the Acts
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