Noyes - Philemon

Chapter 1

1:1  Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow-laborer,

1:2  and to the beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

1:3  Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4  I thank my God at all times, making mention of thee in my prayers,

1:5  hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;

1:6  that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, for Christ Jesus.

1:7  For we have great thankfulness and comfort on account of thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

1:8  Wherefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to enjoin upon thee that which is befitting,

1:9  yet for love’s sake I beseech thee rather; being such a one as Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

1:10  I beseech thee for my child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus;

1:11  who in time past was unprofitable to thee, but is now profitable to thee and to me;

1:12  whom I have sent back; and do thou [receive] him, that is, my own flesh.

1:13  Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel;

1:14  but I chose to do nothing without thy consent, that thy benefit may be not as from necessity, but willingly.

1:15  For perhaps he was separated from thee for a season to this end, that thou shouldst receive him back as thine for ever;

1:16  no longer as a bond-servant, but above a bond-servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord!

1:17  If thou then regardest me as a partner, receive him as myself.

1:18  And if he wronged thee in anything, or oweth thee, put that to my account.

1:19  I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it; not to say to thee, that to me thou owest even thy own self besides.

1:20  Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

1:21  Having confidence in thy obedience I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.

1:22  And at the same time make ready a lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

1:23  Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus,

1:24  Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers, salute thee.

1:25  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.