Philemon 1

Greeting

1 Paul, a a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and b Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and c Archippus our d fellow soldier, and e the church in your house:

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

Philemon's Love and Faith

4 g I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I h hear of your love and i of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full j knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 1 7 For I have derived much joy and k comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints l have been refreshed through you.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

8 Accordingly, m though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do n what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you - I, Paul, an old man and now o a prisoner also for Christ Jesus - 10 I appeal to you for p my child, q Onesimus, 2 r whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me s on your behalf t during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be u by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why v he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 w no longer as a slave 3 but more than a slave, as x a beloved brother - especially to me, but how much more to you, y both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me z your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 a I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it - to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. b Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 c Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for d I am hoping that e through your prayers f I will be graciously given to you.

Final Greetings

23 g Epaphras, my h fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do i Mark, i Aristarchus, j Demas, and j Luke, my fellow workers.

25 k The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

  1. Cross References
    Philemon 1:9
    Yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you - I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus -
    Ephesians 3:1
    For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -
  2. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:2
    And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith.
  3. Cross References
    Colossians 4:17
    And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.
  4. Cross References
    Philippians 2:25
    I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 16:5
    Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 1:7
    To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 1:8 - 9
    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
  8. Cross References
    Colossians 1:4
    Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.
  9. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:15
    For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints.
  10. Cross References
    Philippians 1:9
    And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.
    Colossians 1:9
    And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:4
    I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
    2 Corinthians 7:13
    Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
    Colossians 4:11
    And Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
  12. Cross References
    Philemon 1:20
    Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
    2 Timothy 1:16
    May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
    Romans 15:32
    So that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.
    2 Corinthians 7:13
    Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
  13. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:6
    Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
  14. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:4
    Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
  15. Cross References
    Philemon 1:1
    Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker
  16. Cross References
    3 John 1:4
    I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
  17. Cross References
    Colossians 4:9
    And with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
  18. Cross References
    Philemon 1:13
    I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel.
    1 Corinthians 4:15
    For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
    Galatians 4:19
    My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:17
    I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence.
  20. Cross References
    Philemon 1:10
    I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
    Philippians 1:7
    It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:7
    Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
    1 Peter 5:2
    Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly.
  22. Cross References
    Genesis 45:5
    And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
    Genesis 45:8
    So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:22
    For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
  24. Cross References
    Matthew 23:8
    But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
    Colossians 4:9
    And with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
    1 Timothy 6:2
    Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
  25. Cross References
    Colossians 3:22 - 23
    Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
    Ephesians 6:5
    Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ.
  26. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:23
    As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:21
    I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
  28. Cross References
    Philemon 1:7
    For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
  29. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:3
    And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
  30. Cross References
    Philippians 1:25
    Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.
    Philippians 2:24
    And I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
  31. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:11
    You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
  32. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:19
    I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
  33. Cross References
    Colossians 1:7
    Just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
  34. Cross References
    Romans 16:7
    Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
  35. Cross References
    Colossians 4:10
    Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him).
  36. Cross References
    Colossians 4:10
    Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions - if he comes to you, welcome him).
  37. Cross References
    Colossians 4:14
    Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
    2 Timothy 4:10 - 11
    For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
  38. Cross References
    Colossians 4:14
    Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
    2 Timothy 4:10 - 11
    For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
  39. Cross References
    Galatians 6:18
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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