Ephesians 3:1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
3 This is the reason that I, Paul, am a prisoner for[a] Christ Jesus[b] for the sake of you gentiles,
Read full chapter
Colossians 1:24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul’s Interest in the Colossians
24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.
Read full chapter
Ephesians 4:1
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Unity in the Body of Christ
4 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,(A)
Read full chapter
2 Timothy 1:8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, in the power of God,(A)
Read full chapter
Philippians 1:13-16
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[a] and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ, 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word[b] with greater boldness and without fear.
15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry but others from goodwill. 16 These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel;
Read full chapter
Ephesians 6:20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.(A)
Read full chapter
Philemon 9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 9 Or as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner
Philippians 1:7
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart,[a] for all of you are my partners in God’s grace,[b] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.(A)
Read full chapter
Philemon
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Salutation
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To our beloved coworker Philemon,(A) 2 to our[a] sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your[b] house:(B)
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 always when I mention you[c] in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.(C) 6 I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we[d] share in Christ.[e] 7 I have[f] indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.(D)
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.[g] 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.(E) 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful[h] to[i] you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.[j] 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel,(F) 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.(G) 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.(H)
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.(I) 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.[k] 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.(J)
22 One thing more: prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.(K)
Final Greetings and Benediction
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,[l](L) 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.(M)
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[m](N)
Footnotes
- 2 Other ancient authorities add beloved
- 2 Gk your is singular
- 4 In verses 4–21, you is singular
- 6 Other ancient authorities read you (plural)
- 6 Other ancient authorities add Jesus
- 7 Other ancient authorities read we have
- 9 Or as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner
- 11 The name Onesimus means useful or beneficial
- 11 Other ancient authorities read both to
- 12 Other ancient authorities read you; receive him
- 20 Other ancient authorities read in the Lord
- 23 Here you is singular
- 25 Other ancient authorities add Amen
Acts 23:18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
18 So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.”(A)
Read full chapter
Luke 21:12
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.(A)
Read full chapter
Philemon 23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Final Greetings and Benediction
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,[a](A)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 23 Here you is singular
Acts 28:17-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul and Jewish Leaders in Rome
17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers,[a] though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.(A) 18 When they had examined me, the Romans[b] wanted to release me because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.(B) 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my people.(C) 20 For this reason therefore I asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”(D)
Read full chapterNew Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.