Philemon 1:1-16 ▼

1 PAUL, imprisoned of Jesus Christ, Timothy the brother, to Philemon, dearly beloved, and cooperating,

2 And to the dearly beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and 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, always making remembrance of thee in my prayers,

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

6 So that the mutual participation of thy faith might be effective in acknowledgment of every good in you to Christ Jesus.

7 For we have much grace and consolation upon thy love, for the bowels of the holy are refreshed by thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, having much freedom of speech in Christ to enjoin thee what concerns thee,

9 By love I beseech rather, being such as Paul an aged man, and now also the imprisoned of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my child whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus.

11 Once unprofitable to thee, but now more profitable to thee and to me:

12 Whom I sent back: and thou him, that is, my bowels, receive again:

13 Whom I was wishing to retain to myself, that for thee he might serve me in the bonds of the good news:

14 But without thy judgment I would do nothing; that good might not be as according to necessity, but according to free will.

15 For perhaps therefore he was separated for a time, that thou mightest receive him forever;

16 No more as a servant, but above a servant, a dearly beloved brother, especially to me, and how much rather to thee, also in the flesh, and in the Lord?