Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Verse 1
1. Paul, a prisoner for Jesus Christ,[1] and brother Timothy, to the beloved Philemon, our fellow worker,
Chapter 1 Verse 2
2. and to the beloved[2] Apphia and our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the congregation at your (sg)[3] house:
Chapter 1 Verse 3
3. Grace to you (pl) and peace from God our Father and Sovereign Jesus Christ.
Chapter 1 Verse 4
4. I always thank my God as I make mention of you (sg) in my prayers,
Chapter 1 Verse 5
5. hearing of your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and for all the saints,
Chapter 1 Verse 6
6. 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;[4]
Chapter 1 Verse 7
7. yes, we have much thanksgiving[5] and encouragement because of your (sg) love, in that the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Chapter 1 Verse 8
8. Now then, though I have all boldness in Christ to order you (sg) to do what is right,[6]
Chapter 1 Verse 9
9. 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.
Chapter 1 Verse 10
10. I appeal to you on behalf of the son whom I begot while in my chains, Onesimus,[7] whom I am sending back
Chapter 1 Verse 11
11. —formerly he was unprofitable to you, but now he is profitable, both to you and to me.
Chapter 1 Verse 12
12. So receive[8] him, who is my very heart
Chapter 1 Verse 13
13. —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,
Chapter 1 Verse 14
14. but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your contribution might be voluntary, not as an imposition.
Chapter 1 Verse 15
15. Perhaps this is why he was removed[9] for a while, so that you would have him forever
Chapter 1 Verse 16
16. —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.[10]
Chapter 1 Verse 17
17. So if you consider me a partner, receive him as if it were me.[11]
Chapter 1 Verse 18
18. If he wronged you or owes anything, charge it to me.
Chapter 1 Verse 19
19. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand, “I will repay” (rather than say to you that you actually owe me your very self!).[12]
Chapter 1 Verse 20
20. Yes brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.[13]
Chapter 1 Verse 21
21. Being confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you (sg) will do even more than I say.
Chapter 1 Verse 22
22. 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).[14]
Chapter 1 Verse 23
23. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner for Christ Jesus, greets you (sg),
Chapter 1 Verse 24
24. as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.[15]
Chapter 1 Verse 25
25. The grace of our Lord Jesus[16] be with your (pl) spirit.[17] Amen.