PHILEMON 1

Greetings from Paul

Verse 1
This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,

Verse 2
and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

Verse 3
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

Verse 4
I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,

Verse 5
because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

Verse 6
And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

Verse 7
Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

Verse 8
That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

Verse 9
But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

Verse 10
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

Verse 12
I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

Verse 13
I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

Verse 14
But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

Verse 15
It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.

16He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Verse 17
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Verse 18
If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Verse 19
I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!

Verse 20
Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

Verse 21
I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

Verse 22
One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
Paul’s Final Greetings

Verse 23
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

Verse 24
So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

Verse 25
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.


Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.