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 Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, 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, making mention of thee always 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 faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all 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 by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you 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 great joy and consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command thee what 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 thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
Whom I have sent again: thou 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 would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to 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 benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive 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.
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more 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 thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee any thing, put that on 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 have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy 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 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 thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than 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 at the same time prepare for me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
23 Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
There greet thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellowlabourers.
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. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.
