Philemon
1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy ▼▼1
our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, ▼▼1) Gr the brother
2and to Apphia ▼▼1
our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: ▼▼1) Gr the sister
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers, 5hearing of ▼▼1
thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; ▼▼1) Or thy love and faith
6that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in ▼▼1
you, unto Christ. ▼▼1) Many ancient authorities read us
7For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother. 8Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, 9yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul ▼▼1
the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: ▼▼1) Or an ambassador, and now etc
10I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, ▼▼1
Onesimus, ▼▼1) The Greek word means Helpful ; Compare verse 20 margin
11who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me: 12whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart: 13whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the ▼▼1
gospel: ▼▼1) Gr good tidings ; See marginal note on Mt 4:23
14but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; 16no longer as a ▼▼1
servant, but more than a ▼▼1
servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. ▼▼1) Gr bondservant
17If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. 18But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account; 19I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have ▼▼1
joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. ▼▼1) Or help ; Compare verse 10 margin
21Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you. 23Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee; 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers. 25The grace of ▼▼1
our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ▼▼2
Amen. ▼▼1) Some ancient authorities read the 2) Many ancient authorities omit Amen.
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