King James Version

Philemon 1

Passages in this chapter 4

Greetings from Paul and Timothy

1 Paul, 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,

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

6 That thy participation in the faith may become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, though I could be very bold in Christ to command thee to do what is fitting,

9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment:

11 Which in time past was to thee useless, but now useful to thee and to me:

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own heart:

13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy place he might have ministered unto me in imprisonment for the gospel:

14 But without thy consent would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were by compulsion, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

16 No longer as a slave, but more than a slave, 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 anything, put that on mine account;

19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: although 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 heart in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23 Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus, greets thee;

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.