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Philemon

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Salutation

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

To our beloved coworker Philemon,* 2to our sistera Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in yourb house:*

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

Philemon’s Love and Faith

4I thank my God always when I mention youc in my prayers, 5because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.* 6I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that wed share in Christ.e 7I havef indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.*

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, 9yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.g 10I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.* 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed usefulh toi you and to me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.j 13I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel,* 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.* 15Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.*

17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.* 18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.k 21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.*

22One thing more: prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.*

Final Greetings and Benediction

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

25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.m*

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Footnotes

  1. aOther ancient authorities read beloved
  2. bGk your is singular
  3. cIn verses 4–21, you is singular
  4. dOther ancient authorities read you (plural)
  5. eOther ancient authorities add Jesus
  6. fOther ancient authorities read we have
  7. gOr as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner
  8. hThe name Onesimus means useful or beneficial
  9. iOther ancient authorities read both to
  10. jOther ancient authorities read you; receive him
  11. kOther ancient authorities read in the Lord
  12. lHere you is singular
  13. mOther ancient authorities add Amen

Cross references

  1. *2 Cor 1:1; Eph 3:1; Phil 2:25
  2. *Rom 16:5; Phil 2:25; Col 4:17
  3. *Eph 1:15; Col 1:4
  4. *v 20; 2 Cor 7:13
  5. *1 Cor 4:14, 15; Col 4:9
  6. *Phil 1:7
  7. *2 Cor 9:7; 1 Pet 5:2
  8. *Mt 23:8; Col 3:22; 1 Tim 6:2
  9. *2 Cor 8:23
  10. *2 Cor 2:3
  11. *Acts 28:23; 2 Cor 1:11; Phil 1:25; 2:24
  12. *Col 1:7
  13. *Acts 12:12; Col 4:10
  14. *2 Tim 4:22

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