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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO
PHILEMON.
CHAPTER 1.
AUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto
Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier,
and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and
love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers
(Eph., 1:15, 16)."
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the
Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by
the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ
Jesus.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment (Phil., 1:9)."
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because
the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin
thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an
one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand (II. Tim., 4:6)."
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in
my bonds:
"For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have
ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel (I. Cor., 4:15)."
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11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now
profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is,
mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he
might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit
should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou
shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother
beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in
the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on
mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay
it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even
thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh
my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
"And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he
remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye
received him.
I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things
(II. Cor., 7:15, 16)."
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that
through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ
Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
¶ Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.
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