Philemon 1
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the Assembly in thy house:
to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
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.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
9 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.
I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
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.
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
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.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)
Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever! (aiōnios g166)
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
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.
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
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!
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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!
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
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.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
