Philemon 1
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
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 Apphia our sister, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church in your 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 always, making mention of you in my prayers,
I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you in Christ.
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 I have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
9 yet on the basis of love I rather appeal, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
10 I appeal to you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,
is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
12 I am sending back to you, him who is my very heart,
I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
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 I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
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 was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, (aiōnios g166)
Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever! (aiōnios g166)
16 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.
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 then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.
If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19 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).
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 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what 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 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to 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 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
