Philemon 1- 1
- Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
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- to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
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- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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- I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
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- because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
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- I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
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- Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
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- Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
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- yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--
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- I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, [1] who became my son while I was in chains.
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- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
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- I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.
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- I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
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- But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
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- Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--
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- no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
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- So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
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- If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
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- I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.
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- I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
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- Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
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- And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
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- Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
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- And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
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- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
- [10] Onesimus means useful.