Philemon 1–11

Salutation

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

To our beloved coworker Philemon,^{* 2}to our sister^a Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your^b 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 you^c in my prayers, ⁵because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.^{* 6}I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we^d share in Christ.^{e 7}I have^f 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 10}I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.^{* 11}Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful^h toⁱ you and to me.