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Philemon’s Love and Faith

(A)Paul, (B)a prisoner of (C)Christ Jesus, and (D)Timothy [a]our brother,

To Philemon our beloved brother and (E)fellow worker, and to Apphia [b](F)our sister, and to (G)Archippus our (H)fellow soldier, and to (I)the church in your house: (J)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(K)I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, because I (L)hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the [c]saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective [d]through the (M)full knowledge of every good thing which is in you [e]for the sake of Christ. For I have come to have much (N)joy and comfort in your love, because the [f]hearts of the [g]saints have been (O)refreshed through you, brother.

Therefore, (P)though I have much boldness in Christ to command you to do what is (Q)proper, yet for love’s sake I rather (R)plead with you—since I am such a person as Paul, [h]the (S)aged, and now also (T)a prisoner of (U)Christ Jesus—

Plea for Onesimus

10 I (V)plead with you for my (W)child [i](X)Onesimus, of whom I became a [j]father in my chains, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, my very heart, 13 whom I intended to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my (Y)chains for the gospel, 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would (Z)not be, in effect, by compulsion but voluntarily. 15 For perhaps (AA)he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 (AB)no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, (AC)a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both (AD)in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you regard me a (AE)partner, accept him as you would accept me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 (AF)I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it ((AG)not to [k]mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord. (AH)Refresh my heart in Christ!

21 (AI)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.

22 And at the same time also prepare me a (AJ)lodging, for (AK)I hope that through (AL)your prayers (AM)I will be graciously given to you.

23 (AN)Epaphras, my (AO)fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do (AP)Mark, (AQ)Aristarchus, (AR)Demas, (AS)Luke, my (AT)fellow workers.

25 (AU)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be (AV)with your spirit.[l]

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:1 Lit the
  2. Philemon 1:2 Lit the
  3. Philemon 1:5 Or holy ones
  4. Philemon 1:6 Or in
  5. Philemon 1:6 Lit toward Christ
  6. Philemon 1:7 Lit inward parts
  7. Philemon 1:7 Or holy ones
  8. Philemon 1:9 Or an ambassador
  9. Philemon 1:10 Useful
  10. Philemon 1:10 Or begotten
  11. Philemon 1:19 Lit say
  12. Philemon 1:25 One early ms adds Amen

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy [a]our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, and to Apphia [b]our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers, hearing of [c]thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in [d]you, unto Christ. For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul [e]the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: 10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, [f]Onesimus, 11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me: 12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart: 13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the [g]gospel: 14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; 16 no longer as a [h]servant, but more than a [i]servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. 18 But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account; 19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have [j]joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee; 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

25 The grace of [k]our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. [l]Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:1 Greek the brother.
  2. Philemon 1:2 Greek the sister.
  3. Philemon 1:5 Or, thy love and faith
  4. Philemon 1:6 Many ancient authorities read us.
  5. Philemon 1:9 Or, an ambassador, and now etc.
  6. Philemon 1:10 The Greek word means Helpful. Compare verse 20 margin.
  7. Philemon 1:13 Greek good tidings. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.
  8. Philemon 1:16 Greek bondservant.
  9. Philemon 1:16 Greek bondservant.
  10. Philemon 1:20 Or, help. Compare verse 10 margin.
  11. Philemon 1:25 Some ancient authorities read the.
  12. Philemon 1:25 Many ancient authorities omit Amen.