Philemon 1
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow-laborer,
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 the beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
3 Grace be 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 at all times, making mention of thee 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 the saints;
because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, for 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 thankfulness and comfort on account of thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been 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 have much boldness in Christ to enjoin upon thee that which is befitting,
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 beseech thee rather; being such a one as Paul an old man, and now 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 beseech thee for my child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus;
is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
11 who in time past was unprofitable to thee, but is 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 back; and do thou [[receive]] him, that is, my own flesh.
I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might minister to 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 I chose to do nothing without thy consent, that thy benefit may be not as from 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 was separated from thee for a season to this end, that thou shouldst receive him back as thine for ever; (aiōnios g166)
Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever! (aiōnios g166)
16 no longer as a bond-servant, but above a bond-servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to 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 then regardest me as 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 And if he wronged thee in anything, or oweth thee, put that to my account.
If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it; not to say to thee, that to me thou owest even thy 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 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 thy obedience I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even 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 And at the same time make ready a lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted 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,
Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers, salute thee.
as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
