Philemon 1–11

¹Paul, a prisoner^a of Christ Jesus, and Timothy^b our brother,^c

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker^d—²also to Apphia our sister and Archippus^e our fellow soldier^f—and to the church that meets in your home:^g

³Grace and peace to you^a from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^h

Thanksgiving and Prayer

⁴I always thank my Godⁱ as I remember you in my prayers,^{j 5}because I hear about your love for all his holy people^k and your faith in the Lord Jesus.^{l 6}I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,^m because you, brother, have refreshedⁿ the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹yet I prefer to appeal to you^o on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^p of Christ Jesus—¹⁰that I appeal to you for my son^q Onesimus,^br who became my son while I was in chains.^{s 11}Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.