Philemon 1

1From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. 3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4Whenever I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God, 5because I keep hearing about your love for all God’s holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6I pray that the generosity that flows from your faith will be put to work, as you come to know fully all the good that is ours, for the sake of Christ. 7Brother, your love has filled me with joy and encouragement, because through you God’s holy people have been refreshed at heart.

8So although in Christ I could be bold enough to order you to do what you ought, 9I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love. I, Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 10appeal to you for my child Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to you and to me. 12I am sending him back to you, and he is my very heart. 13I would have liked to keep him here with me, so that he could serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any good you do would come from your own free choice and not be forced. 15Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a little while: so that you might have him back for good, 16no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, a dear brother. He is especially dear to me, and how much more to you, both in everyday life and in the Lord.

17So if I am your partner, take him in as though he were me. 18If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put it on my account. 19I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will repay it. I need not remind you that you owe me your own self as well. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21I write to you sure that you will do what I ask, and I know you will do even more than I say. 22Meanwhile, please also have a room ready for me, for I hope that God will answer your prayers and give me back to you.

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, 24and so do my fellow workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke.

25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.