Philemon Chapter 1
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
He commends the faith and charity of Philemon; and sends back to him his fugitive servant, whom he had converted in prison.
1:1. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer,
1:2. And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.
1:3. Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4. I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.
1:5. Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints:
1:6. That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.
1:7. For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.
1:8. Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:
1:9. For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.
1:10. I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,
1:11. Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable both to me and thee:
1:12. Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.
1:13. Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.
1:14. But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.
1:15. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:
1:16. Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?
1:17. If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.
1:18. And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, 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 thou owest me thy own self also.
1:20. Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in the Lord.
1:21. Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
1:22. But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
1:23. There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:
1:24. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers.
1:25. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.