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Philemon
Orthodox Jewish Bible
Philemon
Orthodox Jewish Bible
1 Sha’ul, a prisoner of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua and Timotiyos acheinu [(our) brother]. To Philemon ha’ahuv (the beloved) and our fellow po’el (worker)
2 And to Apphia achoteinu (our sister) and to Archippus our chaver leneshek (comrade arms) and to the Kehillah in your bais.
3 Chen v’Chesed Hashem and Shalom Hashem to you from Elohim Avinu and from Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua.
4 I always offer a bracha to my G-d when I mention you in my tefillos (prayers),
5 Because I hear of your ahavah (agapé) and emunah, which you have for Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua and for all the Kadoshim.
6 [I pray] that your emunah (faith) being shared in Moshiach’s kiruv rechokim (bringing near the far away ones) may become effective in the da’as of every mitzvah we may do for Moshiach.
7 For I had simcha gedolah (much joy) and chizzuk (encouragement) because of your ahavah, for the levavot of the Kadoshim have been refreshed through you, Ach b’Moshiach.
8 Therefore, though I have much boldness in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach that I could in fact order you to do your chovah musarit (moral duty) of avodas hakodesh (holy service),
9 Yet I would rather make an appeal on the mekor (basis) of ahavah (agapé)‖I, [Rav] Sha’ul, the Zaken (Elder) but also a prisoner of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.
10 I appeal to you concerning beni, having "fathered" him (to a new birth) while in bais hasohar (prison)‖that is, Onesimus (T.N. the slave boy Onesimus’ name means "Useful")
11 The one once "Useless" to you, but, now, both to you and to me "Useful" (Onesimus).
12 I am sending him who is my very lev (heart) back to you.
13 I was wanting to detain him with me, in order that he might function as a keli kodesh (minister), ministering to me in your place, as your murshe (proxy), while I’m detained in the imprisonment of the Besuras HaGeulah.
14 But I wanted to do nothing without your haskamah (consent, approval), in order that the mitzvah you do might not be meshabed (caused to be obligated) or forced, but voluntary.
15 Eppis (for some reason) perhaps he was separated from you for a while in order that you might have him back for Yamim HaOlam,
16 No longer as a bond servant, but, more than a bond servant, an ach ahuv (a beloved brother [in Moshiach]), especially to me, and how much more to you, both as a man and in Adoneinu.
17 So if you consider me partnered to you as a chaver in our [common orthodox Jewish emunah], receive him as you would me.
18 But if in anything he wronged you or owes you, charge this to my cheshbon (account, bill).
19 I, [Rav] Sha’ul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay. This is not to meorer (point out) the fact that on your cheshbon you owe me your very neshamah.
20 Yes, Ach b’Moshiach, I would have some "usefulness" from you in Adoneinu. Refresh my lev in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.
21 Confident of you as one who is shomer mitzvot, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even above what I say.
22 Also, this too, prepare a heimishe mekom linah (guest room, lodging place) for me, for I have the tikvah (hope) that through your tefillos I will be restored to you.
23 Drishat Shalom to you from Epaphras, my coprisoner in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua.
24 Drishat Shalom, also, from Markos, Aristarchus, Demas, and Lukas, my fellow po’alim (workers).
25 The Chen v’Chesed Hashem of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua be with your neshamah.
Filemone
La Bibbia della Gioia
Filemone
La Bibbia della Gioia
1 Questa lettera è scritta da Paolo, tenuto prigioniero per avere predicato il Vangelo di Gesù Cristo, e dal fratello Timòteo: 2 al caro Filemone, nostro collaboratore, alla comunità cristiana che si riunisce in casa sua, alla sorella Appia e ad Archippo, nostro compagno nella lotta.
3 Che Dio, nostro Padre, e il Signore Gesù Cristo vi diano grazia e pace.
Paolo chiede un favore
4 Quando prego per te, caro Filemone ringrazio continuamente il mio Dio, 5 perché sento sempre parlare del tuo amore verso tutti i cristiani e della tua fede nel Signore Gesù.
6 Prego che questa fede che ci lega operi in te sempre di più e ti faccia conoscere tutto il bene che è in nostro potere di fare vivendo per Cristo. 7 Non puoi immaginare quanta gioia e consolazione mi ha dato sapere che il tuo amore, fratello mio, ha risollevato il cuore di coloro che appartengono a Dio. 8-9 Ora voglio chiederti un favore. Con lʼautorità che Cristo mi ha dato, potrei facilmente ordinarti di fare ciò che è tuo dovere, ma ti voglio bene e preferisco soltanto pregarti. Io, Paolo, vecchio e ora anche in prigione per amore di Gesù Cristo, 10 ti chiedo un favore per Onèsimo, che ora è come un figlio per me, dopo che lʼho portato al Signore durante la mia prigionia. 11 È quellʼOnèsimo (il cui nome significa «utile») che in passato non ti è stato davvero utile, ma ora può esserlo, sia a te che a me. 12 Te lo rimando, e con lui ti mando una parte di me.
13 Avrei voluto tenerlo con me, perché mi fosse dʼaiuto al posto tuo, ora che sono qui in prigione per aver predicato il Vangelo, 14 ma non voglio che tu ti senta obbligato ad essere generoso, ma che tu agisca spontaneamente. 15 Forse Onèsimo è stato lontano da te per un poʼ di tempo, perché ora tu possa riaverlo con te per sempre; 16 non più soltanto come schiavo, ma molto di più, come un fratello. Onèsimo è molto caro a me, è vero, ma ancor di più deve esserlo a te, perché ora non è soltanto un tuo schiavo, ma anche un tuo fratello in Cristo.
17 Se mi consideri davvero tuo amico, riservagli la stessa accoglienza che faresti a me, se venissi a trovarti. 18 Se ti ha fatto qualche torto o ti deve qualcosa, metti tutto sul mio conto. 19 Io, Paolo, lo garantisco personalmente, scrivendolo qui di mio pugno: «Pagherò tutto io». Vorrei però ricordarti che anche tu mi sei debitore: mi devi te stesso! 20 Sì, caro fratello, conto su di te come cristiano: dona al mio cuore questa gioia in Cristo!
21 Ti scrivo fiducioso che farai ciò che ti chiedo ed anche di più.
22 Ancora una cosa: ti prego di preparare un alloggio anche per me, perché spero che Dio risponderà alle vostre preghiere e mi lascerà tornare da voi.
23 Ti saluta Èpafra, anche lui mio compagno di prigione per aver predicato Gesù Cristo. 24 E ti salutano gli altri miei collaboratori: Marco, Aristarco, Dema e Luca.
25 La grazia del nostro Signore Gesù Cristo sia con voi. Paolo.
Philemon
New International Version
Philemon
New International Version
1 Paul, a prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus, and Timothy(B) our brother,(C)
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker(D)— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus(E) our fellow soldier(F)—and to the church that meets in your home:(G)
3 Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(H)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God(I) as I remember you in my prayers,(J) 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people(K) and your faith in the Lord Jesus.(L) 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,(M) because you, brother, have refreshed(N) the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you(O) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner(P) of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son(Q) Onesimus,[b](R) who became my son while I was in chains.(S) 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains(T) for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced(U) but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave,(V) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.(W) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner,(X) welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.(Y) 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.(Z) I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh(AA) my heart in Christ. 21 Confident(AB) of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be(AC) restored to you in answer to your prayers.(AD)
23 Epaphras,(AE) my fellow prisoner(AF) in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark,(AG) Aristarchus,(AH) Demas(AI) and Luke, my fellow workers.(AJ)
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.(AK)
Footnotes
- Philemon 1:3 The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter “you” is singular.
- Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful.
Philemon
New Catholic Bible
Philemon
New Catholic Bible
Salutation.[a] 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy[b] our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus[c] our fellow soldier, and to the Church that meets in your house: 3 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer.[d] 4 I always give thanks to my God when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of the love and faith that you have for the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.[e] 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become even more effective so that you may come to perceive all the blessings we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and encouragement because the hearts[f] of the saints have been refreshed by you, my brother.
Plea for Onesimus.[g] 8 Therefore, although I am confident that in Christ I have the right to command you to do your duty, 9 I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love. I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 10 am appealing to you on behalf of my child,[h] Onesimus, whom I have fathered during my imprisonment.
11 He was formerly useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. 12 Therefore, I am sending him back to you, that is, I am sending my very own heart.[i] 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he might be of service to me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I did not want to do anything without your knowledge, so that your good deed might be voluntary and not compelled.
15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever,[j] 16 no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave: as a brother. He is beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, both as a man[k] and in the Lord.
17 [l]Therefore, if you consider me to be a friend, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about the fact that you owe me your very self. 20 Yes, my brother, grant me some benefit[m] in the Lord. Set my heart at rest in Christ.
21 Conclusion.[n] I have written to you confident of your acceptance, and in fact I am certain that you will do even more than I ask. 22 At the same time, please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.
23 Epaphras,[o] my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke,[p] my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[q]
Footnotes
- Philemon 1:1 The salutation indicates that a group of Christians meets together in Philemon’s house and should aid him to decide Onesimus’ fate. These include Apphia, thought to be his wife, and Archippus, thought to be his son, who is also a pastor like Paul (“fellow soldier [of Christ]”). Under the circumstances, Philemon would have had to be an extremely strong-minded individual to resist the eloquent plea of Paul and his protégé Timothy.
- Philemon 1:1 Timothy: see Introduction to First Timothy.
- Philemon 1:2 Archippus: the apostolic worker mentioned in Col 4:17. Fellow soldier: the only other use of this phrase in the New Testament is in Phil 2:25 concerning Epaphroditus. It exemplifies Paul’s use of military terms to symbolize the service of a Christian (see Rom 6:13; 13:12; 2 Cor 10:3f; Eph 6:10).
- Philemon 1:4 Recalling his friend’s love and faith, Paul prays that Philemon’s active participation in the Christian faith will be increased as a result of the latter’s perception of God’s great goodness to both of them. He is implying what he makes specific elsewhere—that good works are the result of a mature knowledge of the faith (see Col 1:9f). In this case, Philemon’s Christian maturity will lead to the beneficial treatment of Onesimus at his hands.
- Philemon 1:5 Saints: all the faithful are “saints” in virtue of their consecration to Christ.
- Philemon 1:7 Hearts: literally, “intestines,” the part of the body that was considered to house the emotions of pity and love (see vv. 12, 20).
- Philemon 1:8 With a touch of humor, Paul utilizes a double play on words. He plays with the meaning of the name “Onesimus,” which is “useful,” and with the meaning of another Greek word, chrestos, which is part of achrestos, the word for “useless,” and euchrestos, the word for “useful.” In the background is the point that chrestos sounds like Christos, which means “Christ.”
Paul also takes the responsibility to relieve any financial burden that Philemon may have incurred in the affair, but he ends up saying that it is Philemon who is more indebted to the Apostle himself! Indeed, the slave’s flight may turn out to be a grace—it offers Philemon the chance to acknowledge him as a “brother” in Christ. - Philemon 1:10 My child: Paul became a father to Onesimus by converting him (see 1 Cor 4:15; Gal 4:19).
- Philemon 1:12 My very own heart: a wonderful description at a time when slaves were regarded as things.
- Philemon 1:15 Paul reasons that since he has found Christ, Onesimus is returning to Philemon as a beloved brother in Christ rather than as just a slave. Master and slave are now both brothers in Christ. Hence, for Philemon to treat Onesimus solely as a runaway slave would be entirely unfitting with his Christian witness.
- Philemon 1:16 As a man: literally “in the flesh.”
- Philemon 1:17 Paul is doing the same thing for Onesimus with Philemon that Christ did for us with God the Father.
- Philemon 1:20 Benefit: the Greek for this word is another play on the name Onesimus: what Paul wishes to get out of the master is Onesimus himself; he wants to be able to make use of the Useful One.
- Philemon 1:21 The Apostle is confident not only that his request will be more than fully granted but also that he will soon have the joy of being reunited with Philemon. He thus sees hope for a quick release from imprisonment.
- Philemon 1:23 Epaphras: founder of the Church at Colossae, who may have been a tenant in the house in which Paul lived as a prisoner (see Acts 28:30).
- Philemon 1:24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke: see notes on Col 4:7-17; 4:10; and 4:14; also notes on 2 Tim 4:10; 4:11.
- Philemon 1:25 See note on Phil 4:23.
Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International
La Bibbia della Gioia (BDG)
La Bibbia della Gioia Copyright © 1997, 2006 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
