Philemon

The epistle of Paul to Philemon, chapter 1, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 1 New English Translation

Salutation

   1 From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ!

Thanks for Philemon's Love and Faith

   4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your faith in the LORD Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. 7 I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul's Request for Onesimus

   8 So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper, 9 I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love - I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus - 10 I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus, 11 who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me. 12 I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel. 14 However, without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness. 15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the LORD. 17 Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me. 19 I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the LORD. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do. 22 At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

Concluding Greetings

   23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you. 24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too. 25 May the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

King James Version

   1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
   3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
   4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
   5 Hearing of thy love 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 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.
   8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold 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, whom I have begotten 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 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.
   15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
   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?
   17 If thou count me therefore a partner, 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 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 that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
   23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
   24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
   25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus, a servant.