Philemon 4–21

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. ¹²I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.^{j 13}I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel,^{* 14}but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.^{* 15}Perhaps 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.^{* 18}If 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 21}Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.^*