Philemon 1:1-16 ▼

1 Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer,

2 to our beloved Appia, to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house, favour and peace be with you,

3 from God our father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I mention you always in my prayers,

5 and thank my God for the account I have of your faith in the Lord Jesus and the love you bear to all the saints;

6 so that the christian faith, which you have in common with us, displays itself to the observation of all good men about you.

7 for your liberality, my brother, affected us with great joy and comfort, by your having refresh'd the bowels of the saints.

8 Wherefore, tho' I have a right by virtue of my character, to prescribe what is fit:

9 I had rather apply to your benevolent temper, and desire you would regard the years of Paul, who am now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ,

10 and intercede with you for my son Onesimus, whom I made a convert whilst I was in chains.

11 'tis true he was formerly useless to you, but now he will be useful to us both:

12 I have sent him back, therefore receive him as one that I tenderly love.

13 I would have kept him with me, to assist me in your stead during my confinement for the gospel.

14 but I would not do any thing without your consent; that your benefaction might not appear any ways forc'd, but perfectly voluntary.

15 perhaps he quitted you for a while, to be yours for ever after:

16 not as a slave, but in another quality, as a dear brother whom I particularly value, but much more should you, both as he is your servant, and as he is a christian.