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 and fellow-worker,
2 to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy 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 thee in my prayers,
5 because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast 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 thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
7 Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
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 beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
10 is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
12 I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very 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 would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
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 without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; (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 servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, 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 thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine 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 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 Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
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 thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt 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.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
23 Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
24 as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
[and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, 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.
