Philemon 1:1-13 ▼

1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved and our co-worker,

2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your house.

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

4 I give thanks to my God always, remembering you in my prayers,

5 as I hear of the love and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus and for all the holy ones,

6 so that your partnership in the faith may become effective in recognizing every good there is in us that leads to Christ.

7 For I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper,

9 I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.

10 I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment,

11 who was once useless to you but is now useful to [both] you and me.

12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.

13 I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel,