Philemon 1

1 Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy my brother, —unto Philemon the beloved, and a fellow worker of ours,

Paul, a prisoner for Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy, to the beloved Philemon, our fellow worker,

2 And unto Apphia our sister. And unto Archippus our fellow-soldier, and unto the assembly which meeteth, at thy house:

and to the beloved Apphia and our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the congregation at your (sg) house:

3 Favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you (pl) and peace from God our Father and Sovereign Jesus Christ.

4 I am giving thanks unto my God—always, making mention, of thee, in my prayers,

I always thank my God as I make mention of you (sg) in my prayers,

5 Hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints, —

hearing of your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and for all the saints,

6 To the end that, the fellowship of thy faith, may become, energetic, by a personal knowledge of every good thing that is in us towards Christ;

so that the sharing of your (sg) faith may become powerful through a full understanding of every good thing that is among you (pl) who are in Christ Jesus;

7 For, much joy, have I had, and encouragement, by occasion of thy love, in that, the tender affections of the saints, have had rest given them by thee, brother.

yes, we have much thanksgiving and encouragement because of your (sg) love, in that the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 Wherefore, though I have, much, freedom of speech, in Christ, to be enjoining upon thee that which is befitting,

Now then, though I have all boldness in Christ to order you (sg) to do what is right,

9 Yet, for loves sake, I rather exhort, —being, such a one, as Paul the aged, now, also, even a prisoner of Christ Jesus, —

I—being none other than Paul the old man and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ—would rather appeal to you, for love's sake.

10 I exhort thee concerning my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, —Onesimus:

I appeal to you on behalf of the son whom I begot while in my chains, Onesimus, whom I am sending back

11 Him who, at one time, was, unto thee, unserviceable, but, now, unto thee and unto me, serviceable;

—formerly he was unprofitable to you, but now he is profitable, both to you and to me.

12 Whom I have sent back unto thee—him, that is, my own, tender affections!—

So receive him, who is my very heart

13 Whom, I, was minded, with myself, to detain, that, in thy behalf, unto me, he might be ministering in the bonds of the joyful message;

—I would have liked to keep him with me, so that he might minister to me in your place, while I am in chains for the Gospel,

14 But, apart from thy mind, I wished to do, nothing, that, not as by necessity, thy goodness should be, but, by choice.

but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your contribution might be voluntary, not as an imposition.

15 For, peradventure, for this cause, was he separated for an hour, that, as an age-abiding possession, thou mightest have him back, — (aiōnios g166)

Perhaps this is why he was removed for a while, so that you would have him forever (aiōnios g166)

16 No longer as a servant, but above a servant—a brother beloved, very greatly to me, but, how much rather, to thee—both in the flesh and in the Lord!

—no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, very much to me but even more to you, both in flesh and in the Lord.

17 If, therefore, thou holdest me as one in thy fellowship, take him unto thee, as myself;

So if you consider me a partner, receive him as if it were me.

18 And, if he hath wronged thee at all or oweth thee aught, the same, unto me, do thou reckon: —

If he wronged you or owes anything, charge it to me.

19 I, Paul, have written [it] with, my own, hand, —I, will repay [it]; that I may not tell thee—that, thyself, unto me, thou still owest.

I, Paul, am writing with my own hand, “I will repay” (rather than say to you that you actually owe me your very self!).

20 Yea! brother, I, would, from thee, have help, in the Lord: give rest unto my tender affections in Christ.

Yes brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 Confident of thine obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that, even beyond what I say, thou wilt do: —

Being confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you (sg) will do even more than I say.

22 At the same time, moreover, be also getting ready for me, a lodging; for I am hoping that, through your prayers, I shall be granted as a favour unto you.

But meanwhile, do prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your (pl) prayers I will be graciously bestowed on you (pl).

23 There salute thee—Epaphras my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner for Christ Jesus, greets you (sg),

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, —my fellow-workers.

as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, be with your spirit.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with your (pl) spirit. Amen.