Philemon 1

1 Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow-laborer, and to the beloved Apphia,

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

2 and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thine house,

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

3 grace and peace be to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

4 I thank my God always making mention of thee in my prayers,

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

5 (hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to all the saints, )

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

6 that the communication of thy faith may become effectual in the acknowledgement of all the good that is in you towards Christ Jesus:

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;

7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed.

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.

8 Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet,

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

9 I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.

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

10 I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

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

11 who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:

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

12 him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive.

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

13 Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel.

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;

14 But I would do nothing without thy knowledge, that thy kindness might not be as it were forced, but voluntary.

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

15 For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever: (aiōnios g166)

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

16 not now as a servant, but above a servant, a dear brother, especially to me, and how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord.

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!

17 If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.

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

18 If he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is indebted to thee, place it to my accompt:

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

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me.

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.

20 Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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

21 Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.

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

22 But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.

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.

23 Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, and Marcus,

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

24 Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow-laborers, salute thee.

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

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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