Philemon 1:1-13 ▼

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

2 and to Apphia, most beloved sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in your house.

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

4 I give thanks to my God, always keeping remembrance of you in my prayers,

5 (for I am hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus and with all the saints)

6 so that the participation of your faith may become evident by the recognition of every good work which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For I have found great joy and consolation in your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things,

9 but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus.

11 In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you.

12 So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart.

13 I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel.