Philemon 1
1 This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
2 to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
3 May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
6 I pray that you will put the generous nature of your trust in God into action as you recognize all the good things we share in Christ.
that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
7 Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
9 I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,
11 In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
12 I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 I'd have preferred to keep him here with me so that he could have helped me as you would have done while I am in chains for telling the good news.
whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
14 But I decided not do anything without your permission. I didn't want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.
But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
For perhaps he was therefore separated from you briefly, that you would now have him wholly (aiōnios g166),
16 He's not a servant anymore, because he's more than a servant. He's a specially-loved brother, particularly to me, and even more to you, both as a man and as a fellow-believer in the Lord.
no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.
19 I Paul am signing this with my own hand: I will repay you. Of course I won't mention what you owe me, including your very self!
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
20 Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 I'm writing about this to you because I'm convinced you'll do as I ask—in fact I know you'll do even more than I've asked!
Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22 In the meantime please have a room ready for me, for I hope to be able to return to see you soon in answer to your prayers.
Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
23 Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24 as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
