Greetings from Paul and Timothy
(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)

1PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon the beloved, and our fellow-labourer, 2and to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church at thy house: 3grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Faith and Love

4I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers, 5hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and unto all the saints; 6that there may be an operative communication of thy faith made known by every good thing, which is in you towards Jesus Christ. 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

8Wherefore, though I have in Christ great liberty to enjoin thee what is becoming, 9I rather for love?s sake entreat, being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

10I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus: 11who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me: 12whom I have sent back; thou therefore receive him, even as my own bowels: 13whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel: 14but without thy consent would I do nothing; that this good deed of thine might not be as of necessity, but from thy own choice. 15For to this end perhaps was he separated from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever; 16no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with thee, receive him as myself. 18If he hath injured thee or oweth thee ought, put that to my account; 19I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me. 20Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21Having confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say.

22But at the same time prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Additional Greetings

23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; 24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-labourers.

25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Amen.Written to Philemon from Rome, by Onesimus one of his household.