1:1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 1:2to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: 1:3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 1:5hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; 1:6that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. 1:7For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
1:8Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, 1:9yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 1:10I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, 1:11who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 1:12I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 1:13whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Gospel. 1:14But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. 1:15For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, 1:16no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
1:17If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 1:18But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account. 1:19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides). 1:20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. 1:21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
1:22Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
1:23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 1:24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 1:25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Notes:
[1] back to 1:10 Onesimus means "useful."
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