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, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer,
2 to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church 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, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5 because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
Hearing of your love (agape) and faith, which you have 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 communication of your 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 your love, (agape) because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.
8 That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to admonish you that which is convenient,
9 I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
Yet for love's (agape) sake I rather plead to you, 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 plead to you 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!
Which in time past was to you useless, but now profitable to you and to me:
12 I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
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 your position he might have ministered 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 your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should 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, specially to me, but how much more unto 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 you 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 has wronged you, or owes you ought, put that on 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 have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: although it be I do not say to you how you owe unto 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.
Yea, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels 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 wrote unto you, knowing that you will 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 likewise prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
There salute you Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.
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. (pneuma) Amen.
