Philemon | 1 | New Testament

[Philemon]

Salutation

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother,

¶ Unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer,

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

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

Philemon’s Love and Faith

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

5 hearing of your love and faith, which you hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 that the communication of your 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 your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Paul Pleads for Onesimus

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

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

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

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

12 whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

13 whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

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

15 ¶ For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should 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 you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 If he hath wronged thee, or owes you aught, 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 you how you owe unto me even thine own self besides.

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

21 ¶ Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that you 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.

Final Greetings

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

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow labourers.

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